L.A. rockers EELS are set to release their new album Extreme Witchcraft on January 28th, 2022, marking the fourteenth full-length release from the prolific group. The band has also announced a tour of the UK/Europe and America, commencing in Spring 2022.
Extreme Witchcraft sees a collaboration between EELS’ own Mark Oliver Everett and John Parish, best known for his work as a guitarist and producer for PJ Harvey. This new album is their second collaboration, and marks twenty years since they recorded EELS’ 2001 album Souljacker together. According to a press release, Everett said of Parish’s role as co-producer and influence on the new album: “…when he gets into the studio he’s a mad scientist. If you make music with John Parish, you get stuff no one else does. He has a really unique toolbox and musical outlook.”
EXTREME WITCHCRAFT coming Jan. 28, 2022! Co-written & produced by E and John Parish, their first collaboration since 01’s SOULJACKER. Stream “Good Night On Earth”, pre-order the album in CD, 33rpm 180gm yellow vinyl, or double 12” 45rpm 180gm pink vinyl at https://t.co/c6UcdzLLM8 pic.twitter.com/jwPMUSuBpO
— EELS (@THE_EELS) September 21, 2021
EELS released their debut album Beautiful Freak in 1996, and have found consistent critical acclaim since their inception, with seven of their albums charting in the Billboard 200. Prior to the release of Beautiful Freak, Everett was releasing music under the name E, producing two albums: A Man Called E (1992), and Broken Toy Shop (1993). When EELS were officially founded, they became one of the first groups to sign to DreamWorks Records, alongside the likes of rising star Elliott Smith. The group’s sound has varied over the years, ranging from the melancholy pop sound of 1998’s Electro-Shock Blues to the fuzzed-out riffs of 2001’s Souljacker.
The group has recently released a single ahead of their new album, entitled ‘Good Night On Earth’. Co-producer John Parish’s sonic influence on the song is very apparent, manifesting particularly in the biting distortion that harkens back to Souljacker. The song is presently available on all streaming services.
The tracklist for Extreme Witchcraft is listed down below. The album can be pre-ordered and pre-saved here.
1). Amateur Hour
2). Good Night On Earth
3). Strawberries And Popcorn
4). Steam Engine
5). Grandfather Clock Strikes Twelve
6). Stumbling Bee
7). The Magic
8). Better Living Through Desperation
9). So Anyway
10). What It Isn’t
11). Learning While I Lose
12). I Know You’re Right
EELS are set to embark on the UK/EU leg of their 2022 tour in early March. Listed down below are the UK dates. Tickets can be bought here.
11/03/2022- Telegraph Building- Belfast
12/03- Olympia Theatre- Dublin
14/03- Roundhouse- London
15/03- Albert Hall- Manchester
16/03- Barrowland- Glasgow
17/03- Rock City- Nottingham
18/03- O2 Guildhall- Southampton
Photo Credit: Gus Black/Press Release
