Irrealis Mood

The latest recordings by Of Montreal come from a place of transformative upheaval for songwriter, vocalist and band visionary Kevin Barnes. This was no dalliance for the (sonically and visually) technicolored dream-weaver, either. This was an awakening, one that reached explosive heights propelled by today’s political climate and a newfound self-awareness connected to it. “I feel like a switch was recently turned on in my brain,” Barnes explains, “and now I’m beginning to see through the lies that have been fed to me my whole life by the masters of media, and by those who control and manipulate the narrative of our cultural identity and social order.”

Musically, White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood is inspired by the form and flow of extended pop singles of the ‘80s, while also fueled by the powerful cultural observations of artists not necessarily associated with music, such as author and activist Angela Davis, and social critics James Baldwin and Noam Chomsky. Barnes absorbs as much as he can, in the hopes of recognizing “how many truly brilliant people there are living/struggling among us, and to try to maintain a positive outlook.”

Of Montreal’s current tour includes a show tomorrow night at the Mohawk, 912 Red River, with Locate S, 1, on the outside stage. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Following the show, head to the inside stage to catch a set by Slomo Drags at 10 p.m. All fantastic. Recommended.

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