Today, singer-songwriter Angelo De Augustine shared "Empty Shell", the second single off his upcoming record, Angel in Plainclothes, out May 1 via Asthmatic Kitty. Alongside the track release, he shared an accompanying short film titled Can I Come Back To Earth?, directed by Ramex Silyan and featuring an original score.

Listen to "Empty Shell" below:

"Empty Shell" is the opening track on the new album, and it was the first song written, according to the singer-songwriter. Reluctant to explain the haunted lyrics — ruminations on loss and bodily pain — he instead draws attention to its sound: an airy, mellow guitar melody undercut by an airy, waltzing strings arrangement.

On the accompanying short film, De Augustine connects the track to a larger story about his experience recovering from an illness that forced him to re-learn how to walk, talk, sing, and play music. "I wanted to make a document of where I am now and an acknowledgement of the years of suffering I have endured," he says. "In my life I oscillate between guarding privacy and wanting to share things I have made. This little film feels like the right sized window--small enough for a glance, but large enough to leave behind, showing that at one time I existed on the earth."

Can I Come Back To Earth? features a live recording of "Empty Shell", as well as an original score composed by Angelo De Augustine. Watch it below:

Tickets for Angelo De Augustine's brief West Coast tour with Hannah Frances are available now. He'll be celebrating the release of his new record in LA before embarking on three more live performances. It'll be his first tour in seven years.

Tour dates:

05/01 Los Angeles, CA @ Sid the Cat Auditorium
05/02 San Francisco, CA @ Swedish American Music Hall
05/05 Portland, OR @ Polaris Hall
05/06 Seattle, WA @ Triple Door

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