Alt-J's New Song '3WW' Points Toward A Smoothed-Out Sound
by Bob Boilen
March 06, 2017
My favorite rock band, alt-J, has a pleasantly surprising piece of new music this morning — "3WW" comes from the band's third album, Relaxer, which they announced this morning and will be out June 9 on Canvasback Music. Unlike some of their brasher music, this song has the feel of a West African tune, with a gentle plucked sound that reminds me of an ngoni or kora.
Singer and guitarist Joe Newman told me, in an email this morning, that it's "a combination of three guitars — a Martin nylon guitar, a Taylor T5 electric acoustic and the original instrumentation from the demo which was a Fender Telecaster Deluxe — for that smooth, smooth finish."
Aside from the track's cool and round arc, another surprise is a new voice — Ellie Rowsell of the band Wolf Alice. As they sing both alternating and together it feels abstractly... erotic.
Well that smell of sex, good like burning wood
The wayward lad lay claim to two thirsty girls from Hornsea
Who left a note when morning came
Girls from the pool say 'Hi'
The road erodes at five feet a year along England's east coast line
Was this your first time?
Love is just a button we pressed last night by the camp fire
Oh these three worn words that you whisperLike the rubbing hands of tourists in Verona
I just want to love you in my own language
The song twists and turns with ambient outdoor sounds, a soft piano and light, bottom-heavy percussion gluing it all together. The new sonic territory they've staked out here and the mystery in their lyrics just reminds me of why I love this band so much.