Christopher Owens, the former Girls frontman, will perform and tour behind a revamped version of the Scriptures yet again. Just not like that this time; Owens has actually announced a new solo album, the cheekily titled A New Testament, out on September 30 and to be followed by a Fall Tour of the US. It’s no coincidence that the LP’s title recalls the vaguely religious non-descriptiveness of Girls’ Album or Father, Son, Holy Ghost, for it marks a return to full-band work for Owens, following 2013’s nearly-career-killing Lysandre, the Florida native’s lukewarmly received solo debut.
A New Testament reunites the singer with the musicians who worked alongside him during Girls’ last days — though not Chet “JR” White, his main songwriting foil in that period, whom he remains estranged with. According to advance press for the album, A New Testament includes songs predating Owens’ Girls tenure, which is neither bad nor good in itself, since — despite the accolades garnered by the group — it’s time to admit their two albums (and an EP) were quite a bit overrated, if not downright corny.
Shaping up as a return to Girls’ working template in all but name, the three tracks Owens has shared from the album so far confirm that A New Testament will feature the same wear-your-heart-on-your-sleeve poignancy and harmless, warm classic rock sound that endeared Girls to so many. You can hear A New Testament’s first cut, “Nothing More Than Everything to Me,” in the Max-Minghella-directed video streaming below.
A New Testament is out on September 30, via Turnstile Records.
A New Testament tracklisting
01. My Troubled Heart
02. Nothing More Than Everything To Me
03. It Comes Back to You
04. Stephen
05. Oh My Love
06. Nobody’s Business
07. A Heart Akin the Wind
08. Key to My Heart
09. Over and Above Myself
10. Never Wanna See That Look Again
11. Overcoming Me
12. I Just Can’t Live Without You (But I’m Still Alive)
Tour dates:
08.06.14 - Los Angeles, CA - Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever
08.07.14 - Santa Ana, CA - The Constellation Room
08.09.14 - San Francisco, CA - Outside Lands Festival
09.23.14 - New York, NY - Highline Ballroom
09.24.14 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
09.26.14 - Washington, DC - Black Cat
09.27.14 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live Downstairs
09.28.14 - Cambridge, MA - The Sinclair
09.30.14 - Montreal, QC - Petit Campus
10.01.14 - Toronto, ON - The Mod Club
10.03.14 - Chicago, IL - Park West
10.04.14 - St. Paul, MN - Turf Club
10.07.14 - Seattle, WA - Neumos Crystal Ball Reading Room
10.08.14 - Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret
10.09.14 - Portland, OR - Star Theater
10.11.14 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
11.19.14 - London, UK - Islington Assembly Hall
• Christopher Owens: http://www.christopherowensonline.com
• Turnstile: http://www.turnstilemusic.net
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