Dirty Projectors release first new song in 2 years, "Overlord"
Dirty Projectors have released their first new song since 2018’s Lamp Lit Prose. It’s called “Overlord” and it features new-ish member Maia Friedman on lead vocals, and here’s more info:
Tongue-in-cheek ode to surveillance capitalism? Critique of our primal confusion of charisma for actual leadership? Cautionary tale about blind faith in technology? Anti-fascist manifesto? Who knows, but “Overlord” feels like a “Both Sides Now” for our brave new Amazon Prime world. The lyrics are belied by a rootsy, organic arrangement — capo’ed acoustics, upright bass, congas, drum kit & three-part harmony — that must be Dirty Projectors’ loosest and warmest production since Swing Lo Magellan.
“Overlord” is the first Dirty Projectors song to feature the new lineup that lead Projector Dave Longstreth put together around the Lamp Lit Prose touring in 2018/19. Guitarist Maia Friedman handles lead vocals and co-wrote the lyrics with Dave, who wrote and produced the music. Felicia Douglass and Kristin Slipp contribute additional vocals. Nat Baldwin plays upright bass; Mike Johnson is behind the kit. Mauro Refosco plays congas.
The video, directed by Dave and starring Maia, features some recent, notable public architecture in New York City, and traces an elliptical story about the stories we tell ourselves about progress.
Listen/watch below.
Dirty Projectors’ only upcoming show at the moment is at Chicago’s Thalia Hall on March 27.
