Former Wild Flag member and Helium frontwoman Mary Timony’s project with drummer Laura Harris and bassist Betsy Wright, Ex Hex, are releasing their first record since their 2014 debut Rips. Titled It’s Real, the album is due for release on March 22 via Merge.
Produced by Rips producer Jonah Takagi, the album is described as “a reaction to the blown-out aesthetic of Rips.” Moving away from the 70s and 80s punk inspiration of the previous album, It’s Real incorporates more art rock than punk rock, adding layered harmonies and bright distortion.
This can be heard in the shimmering lead single and today’s Song of the Day, “Cosmic Cave,” which features crisp vocals from Timony and ripping guitar. The members have kept themselves busy since Rips, with Wright releasing a new Bat Fangs album last year and Harris playing with the band Death Valley Girls while Timony toured behind re-released recordings from Helium.
Watch Ex Hex’s 2014 KEXP in-studio performance below.
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