After nearly five years, Dinosaur Jr. is back with a new album. A lot has happened since 2016’s Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not, including solo music from J Mascis, a Sebadoh reunion, and of course, the COVID-19 pandemic. Upcoming Sweep It Into Space was recorded at the band’s famous Amherst Biquiteen with the help of Kurt Vile in the summer of 2019 before quarantine temporarily shut the project down. Now, finally, the alt-rock giants give us the lead single “I Ran Away” ahead of the album’s long-awaited April 23rd release.
The track, which represents our first taste of the band’s 12th studio album, manages to sound fresh while remaining quintessentially Dinosaur Jr.. On it, Vile steps beyond the role of a producer and is featured on twelve string alongside Mascis’ talent on lead guitar. Put out last week with an accompanying visualizer drawing on the album’s cover art by Andy Hope, the song has wide appeal.
I ran away
If you gave up today
I found a way to keep it true
I ran away
It just can’t be this way
That’s where I’ll stay
To wait for you
Thanks to the coronavirus’ untimely interruption, Vile was only involved in the recording process prior to the start of shutdowns. For the remainder of their time in the studio Mascis “ended up just mimicking a few things [Vile]’d done,” according to a press release. The result will likely be a record that is, at its core, a product of these unprecedented times. Originally intended to be released mid 2020, Sweep It Into Space now comes to us via Jagjaguwar roughly one year later.
Be sure to tune into 100.1 FM or lightning100.com to hear “I Ran Away” by Dinosaur Jr. featured as Dan’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.
