Ben Kweller has introduced Cowl the Mirrors, his first new album for the reason that sudden dying of his 16-year-old son in February 2023. It’s out Could thirtieth, 2025, however you possibly can hear the primary single, “Optimystic,” beneath.
Marking the follow-up to 2021’s Circuit Boredom, the 12-track LP was recorded in October 2024 with tourmates Chris Mintz-Plasse (bass) and Ryan Dean (drums). Fellow indie standouts Waxahatchee, MJ Lenderman, and The Flaming Lips contributed to the album.
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“That is probably the most private, emotionally uncooked mission I’ve ever labored on,” Kweller mentioned in an announcement. “When Dorian died in 2023 I used to be overcome with the necessity to make music. I didn’t care what got here out of me as a result of it was the one means I might discover peace in my earth-shattering grief.”
He continued, “It’s exhausting to not give attention to every little thing I’ve misplaced and within the depths of my sorrow I spotted that one thing was gained. I can solely describe it as an extra layer within the spectrum of understanding. My highs are greater and my lows are decrease. My love is deeper and my calling is stronger. Cowl the Mirrors helps me deal with my new actuality and these songs are a part of that journey.”
“Optimystic” affords a preview of that emotional rawness and people decrease lows as Kweller describes a second of defeat. “Happiness, wanna die, dying kiss,” he sings. “Get excessive, keep excessive, shut your eyes.”
To assist the mission, Kweller will head out on a beforehand introduced tour throughout the US. It kicks off on April fifteenth in Atlanta and can embody stops in cities like Nashville, New York, Chicago, Austin, San Francisco, and extra. Tickets can be found now by way of Ticketmaster.
See the art work and tracklist for Cowl the Mirrors beneath. Bodily pre-orders are ongoing at Kweller’s web site.
Kweller’s son, Dorian Zev, was killed in a automobile accident in late February of 2023. “Dorian radiated positivity and unfold it to everybody he touched,” Ben and his spouse Liz Kweller wrote in his obituary. “He was courageous, adventurous, and lived every day to the fullest. He was witty and liked making folks giggle even when it was at his personal expense.”
Cowl the Mirrors Art work:
Cowl the Mirrors Tracklist:
01. Going Insane
02. Greenback Retailer (feat. Waxahatchee)
03. Trapped
04. Park Harvey Fireplace Drill
05. Despair (feat. Coconut Data)
06. Don’t Cave
07. Optimystic
08. Brakes
09. Killer Bee (feat. The Flaming Lips)
10. Letter to Agony
11. Save Your self
12. Oh Dorian (feat. MJ Lenderman)
Ben Kweller 2025 Tour Dates:
04/15 – Atlanta, GA @ Purgatory at The Masquerade
04/16 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement East
04/18 – Washington, DC @ Union Stage
04/19 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
04/21 – Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts
04/22 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Corridor
04/24 – Cleveland, OH @ Grog Store
04/25 – Ferndale, MI @ Loving Contact
04/26 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Corridor
04/28 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fantastic Line
04/29 – Madison, WI @ Excessive Midday Saloon
04/30 – St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway
05/02 – Dallas, TX @ The Echo Lounge & Music Corridor
05/03 – Austin, TX @ Scoot Inn
07/09 – Aspen, CO @ Stomach Up
07/11 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
07/12 – Fort Collins, CO @ Aggie
07/14 – Salt Lake Metropolis, UT @ City Lounge
07/17 – Seattle, WA @ Neumos
07/18 – Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret
07/19 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
07/21 – San Francisco, CA @ Unbiased
07/23 – West Hollywood, CA @ Troubadour
07/25 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah
07/26 – Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom