Dinosaur Jr. have officially unveiled their first album in five years, There Near. The follow-up to 2021’s Sweep It Into Space has arrived today (August 28th) via Jagjaguwar marks the trio’s sixth album since reuniting in 2005 and their 13th overall.
The album was officially announced at the start of last month, with the band releasing the single ‘Several Got Away’ on the same day. Since then, the band have also released the single ‘Blowin’ Up’ – which features a lead vocal turn from bassist Lou Barlow –and are readying to premiere a music video for the album’s third single, ‘Everything At Once’.
In a press statement, frontman J Mascis reflected on There Near‘s tone. “Someone suggested this album sounds more upbeat, but I guess that’s to do with my delivery,” he said.
“Lyrics like [the ones on] ‘No Friends’ might make you think otherwise, but I usually write in the third person. It’s all just make believe.”
Mascis also reflected on playing through a Mesa Boogie MK 1 amp – the same model he played through on the band’s 1985 debut, Dinosaur – while recording the album. “The [Rolling] Stones started using Mesa Boogies in the ’70s, after they heard Santana playing through them,” he said.
“Then, The Clash copied The Stones. As the years went on into the MK 2 and so on, the Boogie got more metal-sounding. But the MK 1 has a souped-up Fender sound.”
The band are currently in the midst of a run of intimate New York shows to launch There Near. Supports for the shows include former Sonic Youth frontman Thurston Moore, current American Football frontman Mike Kinsella and Snail Mail.
A North American tour will take the trio from October through to November, and the band’s local publicity team have confirmed that “Australian dates are expected to follow” in 2027.
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