MJ Lenderman announces new album with shimmering lead single ‘She’s Leaving You’
Wednesday guitarist and solo songwriter MJ Lenderman has announced details of a new album, set for release this autumn. Manning Fireworks will mark Lenderman’s fourth full-length solo offering, following his first live record And the Wind (Live and Loose!) last year.
The album announcement is accompanied by the release of lead single ‘She’s Leaving You’, a gorgeous strum-driven break-up song that provides a promising first glimpse at the new record. A warm guitar tone lulls you into the world of Lenderman, who proceeds to deliver a series of instructions – some better than others – on finding closure after a breakup. “You can put your clothes back on,” he sings, “She’s leaving you.”
The verses contain some particularly dubious advice, including renting a Ferrari and declaring Eric Clapton “the second coming,” but the chorus is where Lenderman’s true comfort lies. “It falls apart,” he shrugs, “We all got work to do.” Forgoing the usual emotion contained into breakup songs, he opts for a more straightforward approach, but a heartbreaking one nonetheless.
Delivered through his charming, country-infused vocals, the song replicates a chat with a mate a month or so after a breakup, when there’s little left to say other than the universal truth – things fall apart, and we all have work to do. The simplicity of his words cut just as deeply as any break-up song steeped in emotion, finding beauty in their directness.
As the guitars amp up for a twangy solo, ‘She’s Leaving You’ affords listeners that sad sense of clarity and closure, even if just for four and a half minutes.
The new single is accompanied by a music video which sees Lenderman on-stage at a talent show, surrounded by silver stars and a shimmering curtain. He’s upstaged by a juggler in a pair of shades and a bright red beanie, leading the audience to show him a sea of middle fingers.
‘She’s Leaving You’ is a glimmering first look at Manning Fireworks, which is set for release on September 6th via ANTI-.
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