311 has released the first two tracks — “Good Feeling” and “Don’t You Worry” — from its upcoming album, “Voyager” (BMG).
Both “Good Feeling” and “Don’t You Worry” are available as instant downloads when you pre-order “Voyager” ahead of its June 28 release. In addition, everyone who pre-orders the album is automatically eligible to win numerous 311 prizes, including concert tickets, meet-and-greet passes, handwritten lyrics, autographed goods, etc.
“Voyager” is 311‘s 13th studio album and features (appropriately enough) 13 new songs — four of which were recorded with Grammy-nominated producer John Feldmann (BLINK-182, PANIC! AT THE DISCO) and nine of which were recorded with longtime collaborator/live engineer Scotch Ralston, who produced 311 albums “Transistor”, “Soundsystem” and “Stereolithic”.
The new album was mixed by Grammy winner Neal Avron (WEEZER, TWENTY ONE PILOTS, LINKIN PARK) and 311 drummer Chad Sexton, who’s done mix work on several previous 311 releases.
“Voyager” is the second consecutive 311 album to feature production work by both Feldmann and Ralston following 2017’s “Mosaic”, which entered the Billboard 200 at No. 6, making it the band’s 10th straight Top 10 album.
About naming the album “Voyager”, 311 vocalist/guitarist Nick Hexum says: “Our albums have become almost like a captain’s log documenting our band’s ongoing voyage through musical styles, while also capturing our feelings and life experiences. With each album, 311 continues to voyage, explore and push our musicality into new dimensions.”
Hexum on “Good Feeling”: “The songtitle says it all — being about the best stuff in life; celebrating joy with loved ones. This song is an antidote to all the fear, anger, and division so prevalent in society today. Musically, the song is equally influenced by the pounding rhythms that SA [Doug Martinez] and I discovered when exploring the dancehall street scenes in Jamaica, as well as Paul Simon‘s world beat records like ‘Graceland’ and ‘Rhythm Of The Saints’. This song is a three-minute party jam meant to feel like a vacation.”
Hexum on “Don’t You Worry”: “We all go through highs and lows. And lows can often lead to confusion, despair and loneliness. ‘Don’t You Worry’ is about how a friend should react when we sense someone is going through a hard time: ‘Don’t You Worry, you can count on me to help you through your dark hours.’ It’s a song validating personal connection and leaning on one another to turn things for the better.”
311 has also revealed “Voyager”‘s cover art, which was created by U.K. artist Sam Williams of MagicTorch.
As with every 311 album, “Voyager” features 311‘s unique hybrid sound of rock, reggae, pop, hip-hop and funk that the band have come to blend so seamlessly.
“I think this album is very eclectic, from simple songs to wild studio adventures that get into weird, stoney outer-space material,” says Hexum. “It’s another step forward for us and we love the adventure, love the journey, love the process and we can’t wait for people to hear it.”
Along with a setlist packed with classic hits and fan favorites, 311 will be playing select tracks from the new album on its upcoming summer tour 2019, a 34-date amphitheater tour that will feature DIRTY HEADS and special guests THE INTERRUPTERS, DREAMERS and BIKINI TRILL. All shows are now on sale.
311‘s feature film “Enlarged To Show Detail 3” was in 240 cinemas nationwide for a one-night showing on 311 Day (March 11). Over 16,000 fans turned out to watch the film, which was largely focused on the band and fan relationship with live show footage and behind the scenes content. The special Los Angeles screening with the band took place at the Egyptian Theater on Hollywood Blvd.
Photo credit: Brian Bowen Smith
Fonte: Blabbermouth.net