As recently reported, the progressive force that is Jaga Jazzist will be releasing a new album this year and teased us with a track called ‘Starfire,’ which was premiered via BBC Radio 1. We now have full release details about the new album, which will be aptly called Starfire. Get all the info on that and an important tour announcement from the band after the jump!
Starfire will feature 5 tracks running at approximately 50 minutes, confirming reports that the band would be focusing on longer-form pieces for this album. Aside from the lead title track (streaming above), the final track of the album, ‘Prungen’, should also be familiar to Jaga fans, as it was featured on their incredible 2013 live album with Britten Sinfonia (video below). I have to admit I’m maybe just a tad disappointed that 1/5 of the album will already be very familiar to me, but at the same time I’m very excited to hear what they do with the studio version of this piece, which is an absolutely huge jam and was a highlight of the live album.
Right before releasing the details on Starfire, the band also announced a sizable US and Canada tour, their first since 2011. In classic Jaga Jazzist fashion, the announcement was accompanied by drummer Martin Horntveth running around screaming in glee and banging on anything in sight.
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Having had the chance to catch them live the last time they made it stateside, I cannot emphasize enough how overwhelmingly massive their live show is. If you are anywhere near the places they’re playing, find your way to see them. You will not regret it.
Starfire is out June 2 via Ninja Tune. You can pre-order the album here. Tracklist and tour dates are listed below.
- Starfire (8:47)
- Big City Music (14:07)
- Shinkansen (7:42)
- Oban (12:41)
- Prungen (6:35)
June 18 San Francisco, CA – The Independent
June 20 New York – Webster Hall
June 21 Washington, DC – Black Cat
June 22 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
June 23 Asheville, NC – New Mountain
June 24 Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
June 25 Rothbury, MI – Electric Forest
June 27 Calgary, AB – Sled Island
June 30 Ottawa, ON – Ottawa Jazz Festival
-NC