Watch: My Morning Jacket Preview New Album ‘is’ with “Squid Ink” and Danny Clinch-Directed Music Video
Photo Credit: Sylvia Grav
My Morning Jacket have returned with “Squid Ink,” a hot and heavy new single. “Squid Ink” arrives as the second preview cut from the band’s tenth studio album is, set to arrive via ATO Records on May 21; next to the upbeat, piano-forward “Time Waited,” MMJ’s latest at once forecasts a full rock sound on their forthcoming project and shows the nuances of their sound. To accompany the new track, the group has shared a (second) music video directed by Danny Clinch–watch the visual compliment below.
“Squid Ink” is a commanding, propulsive song with a pulse so heavy that it carries a hint of funk. After trudging steadily ahead through murky verses, the band explodes into a high-flying instrumental at the song’s conclusion, with guitar lines from frontman Jim James promising an electrifying jam vehicle in future stagings.
“The idea behind ‘Squid Ink’ is that certain people carry a negativity that fills the room like a squid shooting ink into the water,” James offered in a release, tracing the song’s origins back to a basement jam with drummer Patrick Hallahan. “It’s about trying to get out of those murky waters by believing in yourself, and when Patrick and I were jamming I got the idea to sing part of the chorus really low — almost like putting a beard on the face of the vocal.”
is, the quintet’s first full-length studio release since their 2021 self-titled, is also their first album that isn’t produced of co-produced by James. In the bandleader’s usual seat is iconic Grammy-winner Brendan O’Brien, who brings his experience with Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam to bolster the group’s thoroughly-honed sound. The project is available to pre-order and pre-save now.
My Morning Jacket will celebrate the release of their new album by returning to the road. From April 1 to May 4, the alt-Americana forerunners will deliver 16 performances across the South and Midwest, culminating in a highly-anticipated set at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Advance tickets are available for members of the band’s One Big Family fan community now; register for access to the presale at onebigfamily.mymorningjacket.com. Remaining tickets will open to a general on-sale on Friday, Feb. 14 at 10 a.m. local. For more information, visit www.mymorningjacket.com/tour.
Watch the music video for “Squid Ink” below, and read on for the full list of the My Morning Jacket’s upcoming tour dates.
