TL;DR
Chicago-based Mass Text have announced their forthcoming album Perfect New Knife, due Jan. 29 through Solid Brass, and released its lead single, “Pink Slips.” The nine-track album was produced by Dehd’s Jason Balla; band leader Chris Sutter says the single’s home-demo origins shaped the record’s creative approach.
Chicago collective Mass Text have announced their album Perfect New Knife and released “Pink Slips,” its lead single. The nine-track record is scheduled for Jan. 29 on Solid Brass and was produced by Dehd’s Jason Balla. Band leader Chris Sutter said the song helped shape the album’s direction.
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The announcement identifies “Pink Slips” as the album’s lead single. The source report describes it as a droning track with an experimental post-punk sound and notes a reference to the Partridge Family song “I Think I Love You” in its second verse. These are the report’s descriptions of the track.
Sutter said the song began as a home demo and was developed in the studio, with many original takes and much of its initial feeling retained. He also explained that its feedback sound came from two old walkie-talkies, which he recorded on his phone while touring. Sutter said the title refers to a period when his gums bled so much that his teeth looked like “little pink slips.”
The announced tracklist places “Pink Slips” third, after “Nice Dream 2” and “I Look For Your Face.” The remaining songs are “Eight Candles,” “Sunglasses On Christmas,” “New Orleans,” “How An Atom Fell,” “$300” and “Weightlifting.” The report also lists performances in Chicago, Minneapolis and Milwaukee, including a Chicago album-release show at the Empty Bottle on Feb. 12.
A First Look at Mass Text’s Album
The single and album announcement provide the first release details for Perfect New Knife, while the tracklist and scheduled shows outline the project’s release plans. Mass Text is led by Chris Sutter, who also plays in Meat Wave, and the album was produced by Jason Balla of Dehd.
Sutter said “Pink Slips” differs from the other songs on the record, so it does not represent the sound of the full album. The announcement does not provide further details about the album’s themes or recording process.
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Sutter’s Bands and Balla’s Role
Mass Text are billed as a collective headed by Chris Sutter, who also plays in Chicago punk band Meat Wave. The source report describes Meat Wave’s music as raucous punk rock. It identifies Balla as a member of Dehd and notes that he released a solo album as Accessory earlier in the year.
According to Sutter, “Pink Slips” served as the starting point and impetus for Perfect New Knife. He said it gave the group room to shape the record according to the feeling and energy they wanted for each song, even though the rest of the album would not sound much like the single. The announcement identifies the album’s label as Solid Brass and gives Jan. 29 as its release date.
Details Beyond the Single
The announcement gives the album’s title, label, release date and tracklist, but does not specify how the songs were recorded as a whole, who else contributed to the collective, or whether additional singles or videos are planned. Sutter said “Pink Slips” differs from the other tracks, and the announcement does not describe the album’s broader sound.
The listed tour dates include Nov. 18 in Chicago and Feb. 12-14 in Chicago, Minneapolis and Milwaukee. The source does not state the year for those dates, so their calendar placement and current ticket status cannot be confirmed from the supplied information. The announcement also does not provide a specific release time or further details about pre-orders.
Album Release and Listed Shows
Perfect New Knife is scheduled to arrive Jan. 29 on Solid Brass. The source report says it can be pre-ordered, but does not include additional purchasing details in the supplied material. The announced live schedule lists Mass Text at Chicago’s Hideout with Brent Penny on Nov. 18, followed by an album-release show at the Empty Bottle on Feb. 12.
Two further dates are listed: Feb. 13 at Cloudland in Minneapolis and Feb. 14 at Cactus Club in Milwaukee. The announcement does not identify the years for these dates or say whether more shows will be added. Further information about the album, its availability and the performances may clarify those details.
Key Questions
When is Perfect New Knife due out?
Perfect New Knife is scheduled for Jan. 29 on Solid Brass. The supplied announcement does not state the year.
What is the lead single from the album?
“Pink Slips” is the lead single. The source report describes it as droning and ominous, and says it includes a dark reference to the Partridge Family’s “I Think I Love You.”
Who produced Perfect New Knife?
The album was produced by Jason Balla of Dehd, who also released a solo album as Accessory, according to the source report.
What is on the album’s tracklist?
The nine tracks are “Nice Dream 2,” “I Look For Your Face,” “Pink Slips,” “Eight Candles,” “Sunglasses On Christmas,” “New Orleans,” “How An Atom Fell,” “$300” and “Weightlifting.”
Where are Mass Text scheduled to play?
The listed dates are Chicago’s Hideout on Nov. 18, the Empty Bottle in Chicago on Feb. 12, Cloudland in Minneapolis on Feb. 13, and Cactus Club in Milwaukee on Feb. 14. The announcement does not specify the years for these dates.
Source: stereogum.com
