Jamie Lidell Shares New Single + Video “Capture The Moon”
Jamie Lidell today has released his new single “Capture The Moon” from his upcoming LP Places of Unknowing, out this Friday, July 18th via TODO. With a magnificent vocal performance bolstered by atmospheric piano and striking soundscapes, the new track is a fantastic preview of the album. Places of Unknowing is a complete departure from everything he’s done before–working with esteemed classical (Grammy Winning) musicians Rob Berger & Pascal LeBoef, Jamie’s new sound verges on neoclassical with various parts of his history shining through. Jamie explains: “The piano explores the world afterwards. Before is a story of love that was always transactional. The voice, rather than cowering to the realization, stands in defiance with a little hope for those that can relate.” Album singles “How Do I Land” and “The Center,” have earned praise and support from Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan, Under The Radar, Our Culture, and more.
Lidell has had both a mainstream pop / soul career where he has opened for artists such as Prince, James Brown and Bjork to that of a nameless, faceless techno producer in his Super_Collider days. This album is Jamie reflecting on his past, drawing inspiration from various stages of his career and the results are a reflective, grown up Jamie wrapped up in a full orchestral piece.
As an artist and performer, Jamie Lidell has had a hell of a life. Ping-ponging from the avant-garde to clubland hedonism to the mega-mainstream and all points in between, he’s adopted personae from techno/electronic producer to flamboyant showman. He’s made monstrous noise and sweet soul music. He’s performed in art spaces, rave dungeons and the biggest stages in the world in a whirlwind of creativity. But since relocating to Nashville and starting a family, he’s experienced isolation, introspection, being brought face-to-face with his own neurodivergence, and has had to completely reassess his relationship to himself, his history, his music and creative processes. And now all of that is expressed in Places of Unknowing, his first album in nearly a decade.
Places of Unknowing is Lidell’s first full-length release since 2016’s Building a Beginning and marks a striking evolution in both sound and spirit. During COVID lockdown, Jamie took it on himself to learn piano for the first time, and began recording some lyrics written by his wife, Lindsey. Singing some else’s words – albeit someone he felt a deep responsibility to – and having an entirely new musical palette to draw from was immensely refreshing. The results are gripping: heavily inspired by David Sylvian and Bowie, on Places of Unknowing Jamie explores dark places, revisiting some of the shadows he cavorted through with Super_Collider, but with new confidence and clarity.