Midnight Oil have unveiled “Gadigal Land”, the band’s first new song in 17 years. The single is also the first track to make its debut from the group’s forthcoming mini-album The Makarrata Project, a collaborative effort that was recorded in collaboration with “our First Nations friends”.
The new song features contributions by vocalists Kaleena Briggs, Bunna Lawrie, and Dan Sultan plus a lyrical section written and delivered by Gadigal poet Joel Davison. (Listen below).
The Makarrata Project, one of two albums announced this past February, was originally was described as containing eight songs. The record, initially set for release during the summer, is now scheduled to come out in late October, according to the band.
When the Oils had made their new announcement last Sunday, they understandably omitted any mention touring in promotion of the mini-album, or even any word on the status of a second album at all.
Despite the lack of touring, Midnight Oil has promised that profits from The Makarrata Project will go to charities “which elevate The Uluru Statement From the Heart.”
Midnight Oil initially reunited three years ago for a world tour, marking the Australian Rock band’s first live performances since several benefit gigs in 2009.
Last summer, The Oils unveiled a new song called “Tarkine” while performing at several gigs before their entry into the studio to work on the forthcoming material. “Gadigal Land” will be the band’s first official track release since the 2003 benefit single “No Man’s Land,” and The Oils’ last album, Capricornia, which came out nearly two decades ago back in 2002.
Listen to “Gadigal Land” below:
