Battle Ave. are self proclaimed “dark pop” band from upstate New York. The are about to release a brand new album (the follow up to their 2011 debut War Paint) called Year of Nod which I’m getting increasingly excited about. The reason I’m excited is that the two songs available to preview on their bandcamp page are pretty great. I mean really pretty great. Take for example ‘Zoa’, a plus-seven-minute gem which starts begins with a certain momentum and descends into a lovely slow burn. Add to that some great, if rather opaque, lyrics (e.g. “i am the crown, i am the weight, i am the momentary metempsychotic state, i am the breaking and settling”) and you’ve got yourself a brilliant song.
[bandcamp width=100% height=120 album=4186553175 size=large bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 tracklist=false artwork=small track=888649420]
Looking at the list of contributors the band got to help out with the album, it’s little wonder it’s shaping up so good. It was produced by Kevin McMahon (who has previously worked with indie rock heroes Titus Andronicus) and Hunter Davidsohn (who has worked with a variety of great bands such as Porches. and Rivergazer) and also features contributions from Greta Kline (ie. Frankie Cosmos), Nick Corbo (of LVL UP and Crying).
Year of Nod is due for release tomorrow (the 5th of May). You can pre-order the album on cassette via Seagreen Records or as a download via the Battle Ave. Bandcamp page.
P.S. You can stream the entire album over at Stereogum.
P.P.S The band have pledged to donate all digital pre-order sales to Baltimore to cover rebuilding and legal fees after recent events. All the more reason to grab a copy!