After 16 years, The Avalanches have finally returned. Sixteen years. Congratulations, their absence can now legally drive a car.
The mysterious and reclusive DJ collective from Australia dropped the single “Frankie Sinatra” late Wednesday night on the Australian radio station Triple J. They also announced that they’d be releasing a new album, Wildflower, on July 8. It’s the group’s first album since 2000’s Since I Left You, which was highlighted by its title track and “Frontier Psychiatrist,” (the latter of which still finds its way onto many of my personal playlists). The current members of The Avalanches, Robbie Chater and Tony Di Blasi, announced their new LP on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 radio show.
https://twitter.com/Beats1/status/738221727868715009?ref_src=twsrc^tfw
“Frankie Sinatra” is vintage Avalanches; comprised of unique samples, off-beat vocals, and a bouncing back beat. The track features rhymers Danny Brown and MF Doom and samples both “Bobby Sox Idol” from Wilmoth Houdini and “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music. A video was also released and matches the bizarre carnival vibe of the song, complete with gratuitous ice cream and yellow day-glo paint.
Wildflower will include guest spots from Father John Misty, Toro Y Moi, Royal Trux’s Jennifer Herrema, Camp Lo, Warren Ellis of Dirty Three and the living legend himself, Biz Markie. The Avalanches posted a brief message about the upcoming album on Instagram that touches upon the reason behind their near two decade long absence.
It looks like this summer might have just gotten its official soundtrack.
