Altered Zones

Just two hours ago, the nomadic and notoriously interview-shy American singer/songwriter Cass McCombs dropped the first single for his sixth studio album, Humor Risk. While much more driving in tempo and wild card in structure than his last single-- the debilitatingly bittersweet "County Line," from 2011's Wit's End-- it drives home his knack for enveloping you in delicious melancholy while leaving you uncertain as to whether the sentiment is tongue-in-cheek. Until we've listened enough times to wrap our minds and hearts around it, let's call "The Same Thing" a surprise endorphin rush from a guy unpredictable enough to release two full-lengths within one year. --Emilie Friedlander, Altered Zones

Head here to enter your email address to get the MP3. Humor Risk is out on November 8th on Domino, and is available for pre-order here