Philadelphia’s art-rock duo Tulipomania are set to release their sixth album, Absolution, a project born from an intriguing collaboration with best-selling author Jeff VanderMeer, whose first entry in his Southern Reach series was loosely adapted into the 2018 film, Annihilation. Known for their eclectic blend of cult synth-punk, glam-tinged post-punk, and muscular chamber pop, Tulipomania—comprising Tom Murray (vocals, synthesizer, percussion) and Cheryl Gelover (synthesizer, backing vocals)—have crafted an album that intertwines their atmospheric soundscapes with the haunting narratives of VanderMeer’s strange literary universe.
The genesis of Absolution is a tale of mutual inspiration. While penning his latest novel, also titled Absolution, VanderMeer found himself immersed in Tulipomania’s previous album, Dreaming of Sleep. The music seeped into the fabric of his writing, shaping the mood and texture of his narrative. In a reciprocal gesture, VanderMeer invited the duo to create music inspired by his work-in-progress, fostering a symbiotic relationship between sound and story.
“It is a thrill to know that our music and lyrics were an inspiration for Jeff VanderMeer while he was working on his latest novel Absolution,” says Tom Murray.
Cheryl Gelover adds: “Having the author crowned the ‘weird Thoreau’ entrust us with early versions of his newest novel Absolution was enormously enticing—knowing that he believed we could return with him to the world of Area X for the purpose of a cross-pollination is very exciting. We’re so glad we emerged from the journey with alternate versions of the ten tracks that originally inspired him, as well as four entirely new songs directly inspired by our immersion in the Southern Reach series and the latest novel in the series—Absolution. It is quite an honor to share a title on our new album with Jeff’s latest.”
VanderMeer reflects on his connection with Tulipomania’s music: “I remember being in the middle of the ecstatic visions that formed my novel Absolution and discovering Tulipomania’s music for the first time, around August of 2023—this very album’s doppelganger, in fact. The original mix of Dreaming of Sleep felt like a revelation—hypnotic, pulsing music that got deep hooks into my brain, so I couldn’t stop listening to the songs. Like a lighthouse’s roving light, the songs felt like a beacon, and the recursive nature of the composition, the sense of a beating heart, a thick muscle at the core of them, combined with the surreal lyrics got deep into the novel’s DNA. So I was really pleased that this opportunity for this wonderful contamination of (novel/album) to go the other way—the Absolution remix of Dreaming of Sleep, with four new Absolution tracks! I really love this band so much—to the point I’ve listened to and recommend their entire back catalogue—that it’s an honor.”
The album’s first single, “I’ve Been Told – Absolution“, serves as a gateway into this collaborative world. Accompanied by a meticulously crafted animated video, the visual component unfolds frame by frame through layered processes, including thermal printing and hand-tinted animations. The result is a haunting reflection on themes of dissolution and disorientation, mirroring the unsettling atmosphere of VanderMeer’s narrative.
The video unfolds frame by frame, a meticulous creation born of layered processes, including thermal printing and hand-tinted animations. Stop-motion objects spring to life, their movements jagged yet deliberate, interspersed with fleeting images of the duo singing the lyrics. Each frame brims with the restless energy of transformation, as the laborious assembly of thousands of images mirrors the themes of Absolution—dissolution, disorientation, and decay. Textures collide and merge, a visual symphony of degradation that pulses with raw ingenuity. The result is a haunting reflection on the fragility of form, each flicker on screen an ode to impermanence, each frame a testament to the relentless erosion of certainty.
Described as “artistic and inventive” and “gorgeous,” Tulipomania’s animated music videos have been featured in film festivals worldwide, including the Leeds International Film Festival (UK), StopTrik (Croatia, Poland), AniFilm (Czech Republic), and Tallgrass International Film Festival (USA).
“The dreamlike immersion in imagery from the novel creates a hypnotic and perfect effect for both a beautiful dirge and surge of a song and the atmosphere for Absolution. Gorgeous and evocative,” says VanderMeer.
Watch the video for “I’ve Been Told – Absolution” below:
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The record features the expertise of Executive Producer Howard Thompson, a legendary figure in the music industry known for his tenure at Elektra, Island, and Almo Sounds. Thompson’s storied career includes discovering and collaborating with iconic artists such as Adam and the Ants, Billy Bragg, MC5, Mötorhead, PiL, Psychedelic Furs, Robyn Hitchcock, The Sugarcubes, and Suicide, among many others.
The cover for this album was created by acclaimed artist Pablo Delcan, who also produced the artwork for the 10th-anniversary editions of the Southern Reach Trilogy.
I’ve Been Told – Absolution is out now. You can pre-order the full album Absolution here via Sursumcorda Records. The LP will be released on November 29th.
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