Black Midi Announce Album 'Cavalcade' + Unveil Single / Video 'John L'

UK neo-math rock crew Black Midi have announced the follow-up to 2019's Schlagenheim, their second studio album Cavalcade, made with the objective "to make music that was as dramatic and as exciting as possible". Lead single 'John L' lands today too, and to say it's just dramatic and exciting would be a gross understatement, to the extent that I wouldn't recommend too many replays for those with weak hearts or respiratory conditions. The crankin' team of Georgie Greep, Cameron Picton, and Morgan Simpson have unleashed the track on 12" too, available to pre-order with b-side 'Despair', which feels like a soft fuzzy blanket after 'John L' and its spiky Jerskin Fendrix violin. Greep says Black Midi wanted to combine "ECM, high-fidelity, 25 mic amazing sound" with a "lo-fi album full of crazy effects" on Cavalcade, and just listening to the first drops you'll hear exactly what they mean.

The video for 'John L', directed and animated by Nina McNeely (who has worked with Rihanna), is like a bad trip, candyflip version of 'Around The World', including horrific comedown and dancing baby. Watch and listen here with caution...

Black Midi's sophomore album 'Cavalcade' is out Friday 28th May on Rough Trade Records.