Kevin Barnes, Of Montreal, a musical chameleon who has long called Georgia home, first set foot in the vibrant college-rock scene of Athens in 1996. Embracing an ethos of fluidity in both gender and genre, Barnes has crafted complex, delightful records that sparkle with a radical brilliance, powered by personal strife and exuberance. With a career spanning nearly three decades, Barnes and of Montreal have left an indelible mark on stages, televisions, dance floors, stereos, and within the political landscape, both locally and internationally. Now, as they prepare to bid farewell to Athens, of Montreal heralds the arrival of their latest studio venture, Lady On The Cusp, slated for release on May 17 via Polyvinyl Record Co. This album promises to be a magnificent culmination of the band’s explorations, serving as Barnes’ swansong from their Georgia roots as they embrace a new chapter in the snow-capped embrace of southern Vermont.
“Lady On The Cusp” emerges from a period of transition, capturing Barnes and their partner, musician Christina Schneider, as they poised themselves for relocation. The album weaves together a rich tapestry of introspection and forward-looking optimism, all presented through Barnes’ signature prism of eclectic pop. The 10-track odyssey navigates a range of emotions—humor and melancholy, sensuality and introspection, levity and depth—ushering listeners into new territories of thought and sound. Leading the charge is the effervescent single “Yung Hearts Bleed Free,” a track that pays homage to Barnes’ influences with a mix of self-deprecation and admiration for the libertine and the lost. Released alongside a captivating video, the song embodies a candid reflection on the imperfections and beauty of a life lived without restraint, marking an exciting pivot point in Barnes’ illustrious career.
Lady On The Cusp tracklisting:
1. Music Hurts the Head
2. 2 Depressed 2 Fuck
3. Rude Girl on Rotation
4. Yung Hearts Bleed Free
5. Soporific Cell
6. I Can Read Smoke
7. PI$$ PI$$
8. Sea Mines That Mr Gone
9. Poetry Surf
10. Genius in the Wind
US Headline Tour Dates
5/31: Athens, GA @ Georgia Theatre #
6/01: Chattanooga, TN @ Barrelhouse Ballroom #
6/03: Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts #
6/04: Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere #
6/05: Boston, MA @ The Sinclair #
6/06: Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom #
6/07: Rochester, NY @ Water Street Music Hall #
6/08: Detroit, MI @ The Magic Stick #
6/09: Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall #
6/10: St. Louis, MO @ Delmar Hall #
6/11: Wichita, KS @ Wave (Indoor) # %
6/12: Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre # %
6/14: Jackson Hole, WY @ Center For The Arts %
6/15: Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Hall %
6/16: Seattle, WA @ Neumos %
6/17: Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom %
6/18: Eugene, OR @ WOW Hall %
6/19: Roseville, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post %
6/20: Berkeley, CA @ UC Theatre %
6/21: Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent Theater %
6/22: Phoenix, AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom %
6/23: Albuquerque, NM @ Sister %
6/25: Austin, TX @ Mohawk %
6/26: Dallas, TX @ Trees %
6/27: Springfield, MO @ The Regency Live %
6/28: Nashville, TN @ The Exit In %
6/29: Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse %
6/30: Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle %
7/01: Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club %
7/02: Asheville, NC @ Grey Eagle %
# w/ Godcaster
% w/ Tele Novella