Calexico have announced the release of their new album Seasonal Shift, due December 4th via City Slang. The record is a celebration of the festive season and the band have also shared the first single from the record, “Hear the Bells“.
Speaking about the new song, Joey Burns of Calexico said: “When writing songs for a seasonal album, I wanted to include some of the aspects of celebrations and traditions observed in Tucson around early November. This song is about holding time and space for memories. Dia de Los Muertos and The All Souls Procession are two events that have influenced Southern Arizona and remembering those who’ve passed away. But it could also be about giving memories importance, too. The story could be about two lovers or two family members.”
Listen to “Hear the Bells” below:
Seasonal Shift‘s themes are based around that familiar end of year feeling, of reflection, of ceremony and of recognition of the year gone by and changes it brought for better and for worse. It contains a few cover songs including classics by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Tom Petty and a few more special guests. It features Calexico in an assortment of guises, referencing Portuguese Fado and Old Mexican Folk Songs, from the stripped back two-man skeleton to the full party of international collaborators including artists like Bombino, Gaby Moreno, Gisela João, Nick Urata (DeVotchKa) and Camilo Lara.
Reflecting on the album, Joey says: “It’s more of a seasonal album and like all seasons they are about change and how those changes in the world resonate inside of you. I never thought this would have gone the way that it did. We were aiming to record a 6 song EP and we kept going. I guess I never thought I would be on permanent hibernation mode either, but I’m super happy and extremely grateful.”
Seasonal Shift artwork & tracklist:
1. Hear the Bells
2. Christmas All Over Again (feat. Nick Urata (DeVotchKa))
3. Mi Burrito Sabanero (feat. Gaby Moreno)
4. Heart of Downtown (feat. Bombino)
5. Seasonal Shift
6. Nature’s Domain
7. Happy Xmas (War is Over)
8. Glory’s Hope
9. Tanta Tristeza (feat. Gisela João)
10. Peace of Mind
11. Sonoran Snoball (feat. Camilo Lara)
12. Mi Burrito Sabanero Reprise