Young The Giant Serves Up New Song ‘Amerika’ Ahead Of BBQ Festival
Young the Giant is finally back. Two years after their last release, Mind Over Matter, the indie band is releasing some new tunes, just in time for the summer.
Young the Giant recently dropped “Amerika” from their forthcoming album, Home Of The Strange, which is set for release on August 12. Pre-orders for the album have already begun on Friday, April 29. The third studio album was produced by Alex Salibian and Grammy Award-winning producer Jeff Bhasker, who took over as the band’s Executive Producer.
Young the Giant says that their new song was inspired by Franz Kafka’s posthumous novel of the same name, according to a press release.
“We find ourselves searching for our own ethics in between the often-contradictory beliefs of this polarized American Modern Age and those of the romanticized cultures of our forefathers.”
“Our perspective is irreversibly tinged with this rhetoric of the immigrant conscience and guilt. ‘Amerika’ explores the contradictions of our psyche and America at large. Searching for the American Dream is to lust for excess, power, sex. There is wonderment. There is disappointment. On this rollercoaster ride, we realize that when we achieve our goals, they often leave us more hollow than before. Behind it all, we just want to feel at home, to belong, and to be loved.”
Though the song is about an immigrant traveling to America in hopes of a better life, some fans think the song also speaks about heartache. According to Brad Antonio of the Verge Campus, Young the Giant’s lead singer, Sameer Gahdia, brings his music to life with his raw and emotional vocals that you can immediately feel whenever you listen to his songs. It would seem like Gahdia is singing about having his heart broken, but then you realize that he was hoping to find something better in America.
Either way, the single brings you back to their old sound on their debut LP, but with an electronic backing and an ongoing bass. Check out Young the Giant’s new song in the Spotify playlist below.
Young the Giant has also created a visualizer for “Amerika” that will have you thinking deeply about the song’s meaning, as you plan out the important parts of your life — or your love life. Check it out in the video below.
The band is gearing up for its upcoming annual BBQ festival. Fans can win a chance to attend a free concert by Young the Giant. The alternative rock band is headlining the 2016 97X BBQ, a free alt-rock festival arriving to St. Petersburg’s Vinoy Park on May 28, according to The Tampa Bay Times.
Dan Connelly, director of Branding and Programming for 97X, was quoted saying, “We’re so excited to bring this phenomenal lineup of bands to Tampa Bay and the fact that it’s free is just a bonus!”
Joining the band are indie rockers Bear Hands, Finish Ticket, Joywave, dance-rock duo JR JR, Never Shout Never, the Strumbellas, and English indie pop trio the Wombats. Tickets are available from April 18 through May 28 in the parking lot of 97X. Only the first 100 people in line on each day will receive a free pair of tickets. You can click here for a list of locations.
If you don’t want to stand in line for a free ticket, you can always purchase a ticket for $20 or upgrade to VIP on Ticketmaster.
Young the Giant have released two previous albums: their self-titled debut in 2010 and Mind Over Matter in 2014. Their sophomore effort made a Top 10 debut on the Billboard 200 chart and received critical acclaim. The album included the Top 5 Alternative Radio hit “It’s About Time.” Meanwhile, their eponymous album included the smash hits “My Body” and “Cough Syrup.”
What are your thoughts on Young the Giant’s new song? Are you looking forward to the band’s upcoming album? Sound off below in the comments section.
[Photo by Mauricio Santana/Getty Images]
