Thurston Moore Combines Music With Mysticism On 'Rock N Roll Consciousness'

Former Sonic Youth star Thurston Moore is returning with his fifth solo album this Spring ahead of his forthcoming worldwide tour dates. 'Rock N Roll Consciousness' delves into all things spiritual, and focuses on a deeper meaning within the world of art and music.

Thurston Moore rocking out at Way Out West

'Rock N Roll Consciousness' follows the alt-rock singer's critically acclaimed 2014 album 'The Best Day'. He's come a long way since his 1995 solo debut 'Psychic Hearts', and this new album shows an almost metaphysical transformation. With just five tracks exploring everything from rebirth to angels, it's a fresh look at the world without compromising those scuzzy strings and transcendent drums that we know so well.

His band featured on the album includes bassist Deb Googe of My Bloody Valentine, guitarist James Sedwards of Nought and drummer Steve Shelley with whom Thurston worked during his Sonic Youth days. That line-up has been the same since 2014, and they've only grown closer over their extensive two year touring period.

He recorded 'Rock N Roll Consciousness' in 2016 in London with Grammy winning producer Paul Epworth, who previously worked with Adele on her record '25', and it was later mixed and mastered in Seattle and Chicago. Half the songs had lyrics written by Radio Radieux; his transgender poet friend with whom he worked on 'The Best Day'.

One song not written by Radio was 'Smoke Of Dreams'; a Thurston Moore original that explores how artists look to spirits for inspiration in their poetry or songwriting. It's an ambient number with raw vocals from Thurston and his trademark grungey guitars. The other songs are 'Exalted, 'Cusp', 'Turn On' and 'Aphrodite'.

More: Read our review of 'The Best Day'

Thurston Moore is on tour starting on May 8th 2017 at The Imperial in Vancouver, and he will finish at Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago on July 14th. He'll also visit London's Roundhouse and the Scala in June, and will take his new album to Germany, the Netherlands, France and more European countries. 

'Rock N Roll Consciousness' is set for release on April 28th 2017 through Harvest Records and Caroline International.

Thurston Moore's 'Rock N Roll Consciousness' comes out in April