https://soundcloud.com/polyvinyl-records/of-montreal-bassem-sabry-1/s-EMF9j
I distinctly remember the term “asexual beige” being idiotically lobbed at of Montreal’s last record, Lousy with Sylvianbriar. The band’s subtle subversion of blues rock on that project definitely wasn’t what many were expecting after the manic chamber pop of Paralytic Stalks, and Q Magazine apparently took it especially hard.

But worry not, Q: Kevin Barnes et al. are back and sexier than ever with new single “Bassem Sabry,” taken from next year’s Aureate Gloom. If I had to pin down the sound of this track, I’d call it moody chamber funk, but honestly that’s pretty irrelevant to me at this point. As far as I’m concerned, K Barnes has yet to fail at crafting a self-reflexively personal journey with any style of music he has tried up to this point, and I have no reason to suspect that’ll change within this next album cycle. Listen above and feel the beautiful misery!

Aureate Gloom is out 3 March via Polyvinyl. Our review of Lousy with Sylvianbriar: