Cruel Country

Cruel Country is the upcoming twelfth studio album by American indie rock band Wilco. It is scheduled for release on May 27, 2022, by dBpm Records. It is a double album.

Cruel Country
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 27, 2022
StudioThe Loft, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
LabeldBpm
Wilco chronology
Ode to Joy
(2019)
Cruel Country
(2022)
Singles from Cruel Country
  1. "Falling Apart (Right Now)"
    Released: April 28, 2022

Background

Cruel Country features twenty-one songs written by frontman Jeff Tweedy. The double album consists primarily of live takes recorded at The Loft, the band's recording studio in Chicago.[1] The sessions included all six Wilco members together in The Loft for the first time since The Whole Love (2011).[2] With minimal overdubbing, Tweedy compared their recording approach on Cruel Country to that which they last employed on Sky Blue Sky (2007).[1]

Music and themes

The album sees the band fully embracing their country music leanings. In a letter published upon the album's announcement, Jeff Tweedy wrote, "I think there's been an assumption over the years that Wilco is some sort of country band. There's a lot of evidence to support that way of thinking about our band because there have been elements of country music in everything we've ever done. But to be honest, we've never been particularly comfortable with accepting that definition of the music we make. With this album though, I'll tell you what, Wilco is digging in and calling it country."[3] Tweedy explained that the genre provided an ideal space to explore United States history: "Because it is the country I love, and because it's country music that I love, I feel a responsibility to investigate their mirrored problematic natures. I believe it's important to challenge our affections for things that are flawed."[1]

Release and promotion

Tweedy first announced he was at work on a new Wilco album through his Substack newsletter in February 2022.[4] The album was officially announced on April 28, 2022, with the single "Falling Apart (Right Now)" released the same day. The album will be released on May 27, 2022, coinciding with the band's Solid Sound Festival at MASS MoCA in North Adams, Massachusetts. The album will be performed in full at the festival.[5]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Jeff Tweedy.

Disc One
No.TitleLength
1."I Am My Mother" 
2."Cruel Country" 
3."Hints" 
4."Ambulance" 
5."The Empty Condor" 
6."Tonight's the Day" 
7."All Across the World" 
8."Darkness Is Cheap" 
9."Bird Without a Tail / Base of My Skull" 
10."Tired of Taking It Out on You" 
11."The Universe" 
Disc Two
No.TitleLength
1."Many Worlds" 
2."Hearts Hard to Find" 
3."Falling Apart (Right Now)"3:18
4."Please Be Wrong" 
5."Story to Tell" 
6."A Lifetime to Find" 
7."Country Song Upside Down" 
8."Mystery Binds" 
9."Sad Kind of Way" 
10."The Plains" 

References

  1. Gregory, Allie (April 28, 2022). "Wilco Announce Double Album 'Cruel Country,' Share "Falling Apart (Right Now)"". Exclaim!. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  2. Lavin, Will (April 28, 2022). "Wilco announce new double album, 'Cruel Country'". NME. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  3. Kreps, Daniel (April 28, 2022). "Wilco 'Goes Country' on New Double Album 'Cruel Country'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  4. Krol, Charlotte (February 14, 2022). "Wilco are in the studio "chipping away at a new record"". NME. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  5. Corcoran, Nina (April 28, 2022). "Wilco Announce New Album Cruel Country, Share New Song "Falling Apart (Right Now)": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
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