Alt-J is back in business after four years with their newest single “U&ME,” which is Stephanie’s DJ Pick of the Week! The trio has been quiet since the release of their album “Relaxer” in 2017, and fans have been waiting since then for a comeback. “U&ME” gets fans extremely excited for their newest album set to be released in early 2022.
Speculation of new music came about when the group started to update their images on social media. A few days later, they released a photo of themselves, along with the title of the new single and its release date.
“U&ME” has that signature alt-J sound that they do so well. It’s an indie hit that tells a love story through a trippy dream. With lyrics like “Feeling funky on a rolling boil. Smiles bend all over, can’t control how I feel,” the song highlights the perfect summer day spent taking in your surroundings through a drug-induced haze. Joe Newman admits that the song is based on his time spent at Sun Cycle Festival in Melbourne. Knowing that the lyrics are based on a music festival, the meaning of the song really starts to click.
The music video for the single really takes this theme home. Based in a skatepark, the video starts out with the trio (badly) trying their hand at skating. Suddenly, the vibe of the video switches to an obvious, and sort of scary, trip. With a bowl that is so deep it looks like they’ll never be able to make it out and explosions in the distance, the video takes viewers through an entire experience. By the end of the video, they’re basically pros at skateboarding, but they admit that they were a bit intimidated when filming.
On the first day of shooting, I walked into the skate park and really felt my age [laughs] I was thinking about my hips, my knees. I even questioned if I could even run.
alt-J, triplej
The wait is finally over for fans of alt-J. Their newest album “The Dream” will be released February 11, 2022. In the meantime, check out the music video for “U&ME” below:
Tune into 100.1 FM or lightning100.com to hear “U&ME” by alt-J, featured as Stephanie’s DJ Pick of the Week. Be sure to let us know your thoughts! Tweet at us with #L100DJPick and share your take on the track.
