Photo by Mel Butler
With their latest single, “Chemical Animal,” The Jesus and Mary Chain do more than revisit the brooding demons from the shadow-laced alleys of their past – they exorcise them. Following in the wake of their “jamcod,” their first new music from Glasgow Eyes, the follow-up to their 2017 LP, Damage and Joy, the new song sees the band riding a wave of renewed vitality, plunging into the uncharted waters of their fourth decade with a fearless spirit, while retaining the heart of what makes the JAMC great.
“Chemical Animal” orchestrates a dense, foreboding atmosphere, descending into a realm of darkness that mirrors the song’s claustrophobic lyrics. In contrast to “jamcod,” which alluded to the JAMC’s notorious 1998 House of Blues performance and ensuing split, this new track ventures deeper into the band’s mythology, shunning sheer ferocity for a more philosophical approach and blending swirling drones and sequencers with their iconic guitar work. “Chemical Animal” marks a journey through unease and introspection, offering a meditative exploration of the enigmatic legacy wrought by the band.
“Our work on our autobiography definitely bled into our work on the album,” says Jim Reid. “…I was thinking back to those dark days of chemical dependency. When you fall so deep into that hole that everything you do is by instinct. The drugs are the driving force. The thing that gets you from a to b is whether you can score. It was a horrible way to live and I’m thankful I don’t live that way any more. One effect is that it made me aware of how our brains, who we are, how we feel, and what we do, depend on our neural chemistry, a chemistry beyond our control. It’s a biological curse we can’t escape.”
“There is something you should know
There is something I don’t show
I fill myself with chemicals
To hide the dark shit I don’t show”
Listen to “Chemical Animal” below:
The Jesus and Mary Chain, with their latest single, “Chemical Animal,” makes a powerful statement about their unwavering dynamism and resilience. This track not only heralds the arrival of their eagerly awaited album “Glasgow Eyes,” set for release on March 8th through Fuzz Club, but also highlights the band’s exceptional ability to evolve by fusing the raw energy of their early days with a mature, intricate sound.
“Glasgow Eyes” is now available for pre-order here.
The album, featuring artwork by William Reid, will be released in limited edition physical formats, including double-colored vinyl (1000 copies), double black vinyl (500 copies), and single splatter vinyl (1000 copies). Notably, all 200 white labels (100 of each single and double vinyl edition) have already been snapped up.
In addition to the album release, The Jesus and Mary Chain are set to embark on an extensive tour across the UK, Ireland, and Europe starting in March. The high demand for their performances is evident, as additional shows have been added in both London and Manchester following the rapid sell-out of initial dates. Remaining tickets for the tour can be obtained here. Moreover, their festival plans for 2024 are shaping up, with confirmed appearances at Festival Tomavistas (Spain), Paredes De Coura (Portugal), and Cruel World (USA).
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