Despite the wide variety of music that comes out of the Athens scene, most bands seem to have a quirky accessibility that fits the eccentric nature of the college town. Muuy Biien, however, is not most bands. If the razor-sharp attack of their first two LPs wasn’t enough to prove the punk foursome was charting new territory in Athens, their apocalyptic new track is inexorable evidence. The impending doom of “Bitter Blessings” creeps in the shadows behind the frat bars and game day rituals, while existing on a completely separate spiritual plane.
“Bitter Blessings” is the second single from Muuy Biien’s upcoming LP, Age of Uncertainty. The album’s title and this maniacal song fall perfectly into our disquieted times, when imperialism and fascism each claim to be the lesser of two evils. The album will be the band’s first on Autumn Tone records, a fairly diverse label which places Muuy Biien alongside Chicago band Twin Peaks and Athens’ psych-country act Futurebirds.
Though the threatening buildup invokes Nick Cave, there’s a sparse swagger to the track which is unique to the group. It’s embodied by lead singer Joshua Evans, whose nasal delivery feels surprisingly mature amidst the booming drums and dissonant guitars. Despite the additional percussion and piano, “Bitter Blessings” still carries the immediate punk edge of Muuy Biien’s previous work and promises a bold new direction for the band.
Listen below.
Age of Uncertainty, is out October 28 via Autumn Tone. Pre-orders area available here.
In support of their upcoming record, Muuy Biien has announced some fall and winter tour dates, including their record release show at the Georgia Theatre on November 2, followed by a performance at Atlanta’s the Drunken Unicorn the following night. Check out the full list of dates below.
Muuy Biien Tour Dates
Oct 13 – New York, NY – Rough Trade
Nov 02 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre w/ Bambara, Hello Ocho
Nov 03 – Atlanta, GA – The Drunken Unicorn
Dec 01 – Houston, TX – The Nightingale Room
Dec 02 – San Antonio, TX – The Mix
Dec 03 – Austin, TX – The Sidewinder
Dec 04 – Fort Worth, TX – Lola’s
Dec 06 – Tucson, AZ – The Flycatcher
Dec 07 – San Diego, CA – Soda Bar
Dec 08 – Los Angeles, CA – Satellite
Dec 09 – San Francisco, CA – Hemlock Tavern
Dec 11 – Portland, OR – Bunk Bar
Dec 12 – Seattle, WA – The Vera Project
Dec 13 – Boise, ID – Neurolux
Dec 15 – Denver, CO – Lost Lake Lounge
Dec 17 – St. Louis, MO – Firebird
More Info
Bandcamp: muuybiien.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @muuybiienofficial
SoundCloud: @muuy-biien
Twitter: @muuybiien