UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA SHARES NEW SINGLE
LISTEN TO ‘WEEKEND RUN’ NOW
UMO by Amanda Hugenquist
Today, Unknown Mortal Orchestra returns to share a new single. ‘Weekend Run’ marks their first taste of new music this year and perfectly showcases UMO’s signature modern soul over the course of a five-minute sonic journey. The release also represents their first official single since their shapeshifting 2018 full-length, Sex & Food, which Billboard called their “most boldly eclectic LP to date.” Unknown Mortal Orchestra has stayed busy between Sex & Food and ‘Weekend Run,’ though, releasing the freewheeling IC-01 Hanoi project, dipping into the pop landscape through collaborations with Aminé (‘Buzzin’), Gorillaz (‘Severed Head’ ft. GoldLink), Free Nationals (‘Beauty & Essex’ ft. Daniel Caesar) and India Shawn (‘Too Sweet’), as well as turning out remixes for Westerman’s ‘Drawbridge’ and Soccer Mommy’s ‘circle the drain.’
‘Weekend Run’ is out now via Jagjaguwar and embodies the breadth of what Unknown Mortal Orchestra has displayed over the course of their career — a radio-ready earworm of a chorus, a subtle nod to disco in its groove and an idiosyncratic bridge that could only belong to Ruban Nielson. Its sunny disposition reflects Nielson’s relocation to Palm Springs, which has served as home base for the songwriter since the end of touring in support of Sex & Food. Speaking about the song, Nielson shares, “At the end of the day I don’t take for granted that I have the perfect job — I truly work to make music that will set someone’s day right and I think that shines through on ‘Weekend Run.'”
Unknown Mortal Orchestra began as the recording project of Ruban Nielson in 2010. After recording several songs and posting them online anonymously, Nielson signed to Fat Possum Records and released his self-titled debut in 2011 to critical acclaim and success. A gruelling tour schedule gave birth to the more complex and troubled sophomore album II which was released on Jagjaguwar Records in 2012 and saw them become a top, sought-after live act. In 2015, Nielson released the album Multi-Love which brought them a greater profile. Their aforementioned fourth album Sex & Food was released in April 2018, combining all of the different sounds they’re known for – from alternative R&B to dreamy disco – and reaffirms the vitality of Ruban’s voice in today’s musical landscape.
Listen to ‘Weekend Run’ and stay tuned for more from Unknown Mortal Orchestra coming soon.
Single artwork
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