Iceage by Alva Le Febvre
“The sixth fantastic Iceage album: a hugely impressive streak. It leaves you thinking that while the band’s constant development and diversity is striking, their consistency is more striking still. Being very good at what you do is one thing; being very good at what you do, when what you do keeps changing, is another thing entirely. And that’s what Iceage are: long may they stay in a state of flux.” ***** – Album Of The Week – The Guardian
“After 18 years together and five studio albums, Iceage has notched a unique zone in indie rock as purveyors of punk that melds a literary sensibility with undeniable energy.” – The FADER
“Hooks-first and tunes-heavy, these Danish vampires have made the album of the year.” ***** – Music OMH
“Unexpectedly fun. Great, great songs.” **** – The Standard
“Crashes around with a wonderfully unpredictable joie de vivre… joyous and organised chaos.” **** – Mojo
“Raw, reeling, burning, and entirely, brilliantly alive.” – So Young
“The Danish punks impossibly thrill yet again.” 8/10 – Uncut
“Iceage stay true to form with a relentless, fizzing energy and some unexpected turns.” **** – The Skinny
Iceage today release For Love of Grace & the Hereafter, their first album in five years via Mexican Summer.
Listen to “For Love of Grace & the Hereafter”
The band’s sixth album, it has seen international critical acclaim and following the BBC 6 Music A-listed “Star”, its follow-up “Ember,” “the album’s barnburner of an opener” (Stereogum) and the off-kilter rock n roll of “The Weak”, today the band also share a music video directed & shot by Mishael Oladipo Fapohunda for “No Fear”, an undoubted album highlight – and one that contains the title lyric – for day of release.
For any fans in London, the band will also play three shows in the next 48 hours, with the band headlining The Elephant’s Head (first come, first served, you can RSVP here) tonight for So Young, and then playing two sold out shows at The George Tavern tomorrow, with one matinee and one evening performance. All three promise to be incredibly energetic and intimate affairs, going back to the band’s DIY roots.
For Love of Grace & the Hereafter is Iceage’s tightest album to date, even glossy at times, but not tight enough to dull its pulse. With wordless howls, nastily detuned riffs that bend into harmony, breakdowns, handclaps, and a chaotic choral break seemingly played on pennywhistles, For Love of Grace & the Hereafter is a showcase of the band’s fundamental curiosity and trust in their instincts.
Produced and mixed by the band and Nis Bysted, For Love of Grace & the Hereafter was recorded last year at Silence Studio, a modest house in rural Sweden near the Norwegian border. Twelve years ago they recorded 2014’s Plowing Into the Field of Love at the same studio; it’s no coincidence it’s the only time they have returned to a studio to cut a record. The band wanted to capture the same intense energy.
The band leaned on their experiences and the thousands of hours on stages they’ve shared since they were teenagers. The setup was as minimal as possible: making decisions live and not overthinking, patient full takes with minimal overdubs. The lyrics were written only a few weeks before entering the studio to prevent the overall picture from being too fragmented and to increase the sense of risk and urgency.
For Love of Grace & the Hereafter is bright and energetic. It’s both fun and as serious as ever, growing and glowing through love. There is no affectation or prescription to this record—no palette of curated influence or sought sound. It is the sum total of inspirations, shared openly in the name of playing and playing’s pleasures.
Buy For Love of Grace & the Hereafter
Watch the Video for “The Weak”
Iceage Tour Dates:
Fri. May. 29 – London, UK @ The Elephant’s Head
Sat. May. 30 – London, UK @ The George Tavern (Matinee) – SOLD OUT
Sat. May. 30 – London, UK @ The George Tavern (Evening) – SOLD OUT
Fri. Aug. 14 – Copenhagen, DK @ Syd For Solen
Sat. Aug. 15 – Oslo, NO @ Øya Festival
For Love of Grace & Hereafter album artwork
Iceage
For Love of Grace & the Hereafter
Out May 29th on Mexican Summer
Stream / Purchase
1. Ember
2. Match Head Girl
3. The Weak
4. No Fear
5. Salve for Every Sore
6. mother-of-pearl
7. Tender Blades
8. 1835
9. Star
10. Lifetime
11. Holy Water
12. True Blue
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