Twin Shadow has a lot of feelings. Happiness. Sadness. A third feeling. Back in 2010 (nostalgia, that’s another one), he expressed a whole bunch of those feelings on his debut record Forget. Forget? Hardly! I remember that record, because it was a good record. I’ll prove to you I remember it! Oh never mind, I suppose I just did. Still, it’s been a second (you know, about two years) since we’ve heard new music from Twin Shadow. What’s been the deal? WHAT’S BEEN THE DEAL!? Anger.
Well, Twin Shadow leader George Lewis Jr. has been out facing his fear. At one point in time, Lewis crashed his motorcycle with a friend in tow. He didn’t ride for a while, but recently bought a new bike to ride out to L.A. and record a new record, Confess. That particular record is coming out July 10 through 4AD. But what’s the deal with the motorcycle stuff? Well, you see, Lewis felt a sense of calm after surprise and… forget it, just let him tell it:
One winter I crashed my motorcycle , with a friend on the back. I shouldn’t have been riding that day, but I was young and fearless of the black roads, fast and easy in my ways. As the bike slipped from under us my head filled with words. The slow motion moments of calm just after surprise and just before regret are bliss. I remember in that moment I wanted to say everything to him. How could I say everything in a split second? How could I bury my words in his heart?
I got a new bike and went to LA to record what is now called *Confess*. I took the bike out at 6AM one morning after not having done much riding in the couple years between *Forget* and *Confess*. I noticed my head clearing as I came slowly down a hill where the road around a reservoir began. I pulled back slowly on the throttle with my right hand, and felt the bike start to come to life. My head was still crystal clear…nothing. As I kicked the bike into 3rd, I pulled almost all the way back and jumped forward leaning in towards the gas tank, fighting the wind. I got up to 75 and saw that no one was out but the runners and their four legged friends, the sidewalks became a blur of barking dogs and heads all turning. My mind was empty. I put the bike in 4th and hit 90. The engine jack hammered under my legs. My mind was clear. I inched toward 100 on the speedometer and punch the last five. TON UP! My mind is filled with words. My heart is full of love. This is where i want to be. I want to stay here, and I want to tell you everything.
Interesting stuff, George Lewis, Jr.! Personally, I don’t much care for motorcycles, but if they can cause such strong feelings then… no. I will likely never like motorcycles. This is the stand I am taking! Here’s another stand I’m taking: Confess’s first single “Five Seconds” is rather good and can be downloaded here. I’m a man of principles.
• Twin Shadow: http://twinshadow.net
• 4AD: http://www.4ad.com
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