Indie rock greats Grandaddy have announced Blu Wav, their first album in seven years, which will be out February 16 via Dangerbird. (It’s also their first since the death of bassist Kevin Garcia, also in 2017.) The title is a mash-up of “bluegrass” and “new wave” and as usual frontman/songwriter Jason Lytle is observing the little things in life and setting it to soaring space rock. He was also inspired by Patti Page’s “Tennessee Waltz” on a drive through the desert. “There’s an inordinate amount of pedal steel,” Jason says. “It’s a first for Grandaddy, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about this fact.”
The first single is the pretty “Watercooler,” which has lots of pedal-steel among the old synths and shimmering guitars. “Most of my relationships have involved girls who worked in office settings,” says Jason. “This song is about the end of one, or perhaps a few, of those relationships.” You can watch the karaoke-inspired music video, directed by Aaron Beckum, below.
No word on tour dates yet. Fingers crossed.
Blu Wav:
1. Blu Wav
2. Cabin in My Mind
3. Long as I’m Not the One
4. You’re Going to Be Fine and I’m Going to Hell
5. Watercooler
6. Let’s Put this Pinto on the Moon
7. On a Train or Bus
8. Jukebox App
9. Yeehaw Ai in the Year 2025
10. Ducky, Boris and Dart
11. East Yosemite
12. Nothin’ to Lose
13. Blu Wav Buh Bye