Last Friday, the 7th, The Cult released their new album Under The Midnight Sun , via Black Hill Records . The album was produced by Tom Dalgety ( Pixies , Ghost , Royal Blood ) and contains the singles “A Cut Inside” and “Give Me Mercy”.
The idea for the album came to him one night in Finland, when vocalist Ian Astbury realized the sun wasn't setting. He was amused by the surreal, almost hidden, aspect of the "midnight sun."
“It’s three in the morning, the sun is rising, and there are all these beautiful people in this peaceful moment,” Astbury recalls. “People are lying on the grass, kissing, drinking, smoking. There were rows of flowers in front of the stage for that night’s performances. It was an incredible moment.”.
Under The Midnight Sun makes it clear that Astbury and Billy Duffy have spent the six years since their last LP further honing their esoteric strength. Backed by Duffy's dynamic guitar riff, Astbury reaches new heights of vigorous vulnerability.
Lyrically, the album reinforces this newfound musical prowess, building upon the idyllic and surreal vision in its title. Throughout, Astbury draws influences from Brian Jones , Brion Gysin , William Burroughs , Buddhism, the Beats, and the Age of Aquarius, all shaded with the menace of the present and the group's timeless color palette.
On Wednesday, October 12th, The Cult will release a video for the title track from Under The Midnight Sun , “Mirror”. They have once again teamed up with director Juan Azulay to make the video. Check out the trailer here.
Listen to The Cult's new album:
