Bruce Springsteen is in the news and weâre all continuing to struggle to navigate a changed world â what better time for the War on Drugs to return? The preeminent indie rockers are back, announcing their fifth studio album and first in four years, I Donât Live Here Anymore, out October 29. Opening track âLiving Proofâ is the first offering from the record, one of the sparsest tracks ever from a band known for impressive, sweeping synthesizer work. This song almost feels acoustic, save for some flickers of electric guitar, instead grounded by bandleader Adam Granducielâs wandering, contemplative lyrics. According to a press release, the song came out of a rare live jam session between the bandâs full six-piece lineup, at Los Angelesâs Electro-Vox Recording Studios in May 2019. Emmett Malloyâs music video took place around another historic California studio, Stinson Beachâs Panoramic, with Granduciel wandering around nearby beaches, forests, and fields.
The ten tracks on I Donât Live Here Anymore came together across years of recording following the release of the War on Drugsâ Grammy-winning album A Deeper Understanding in 2017. After Granduciel self-produced the bandâs last two albums, also including 2014 breakout Lost in the Dream, he teamed with Deeper Understanding engineer Shawn Everett to co-produce I Donât Live Here Anymore. The band also announced a 2022 tour alongside I Donât Live Here Anymore, including their first Madison Square Garden headlining performance on January 29. (Last year saw the War on Drugs, known for their titanic live performances, release their first live album, LIVE DRUGS.) Dust off those flannels, the War on Drugs is back.