Lawrence Arabia has a penchant for penning earworms at once inspired and unsettling. His 2009 single Apple Pie Bed took out the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll, positioning James Milne in the great Kiwi song hall of fame.
This enigmatic chanteur is back and about to release his fourth solo album. Following his album Chant Darling; 2012’s The Sparrow was a sparse, dark affair stripped back its essentials - stark imagery and unflappable hooks.
The new album is Arabia’s strongest yet - aptly named Absolute Truth.
Debut single ‘A Lake’ has a haunting melody ushered gracefully along by a 60’s groove and four-on-the-floor stomps. The Line Of Best Fit described it as "a confident, assured sound and the overall feeling that he's finally happened upon the sound that works for him… with tracks as strong as this, there's every chance that Lawrence Arabia’s new album will give him the worldwide recognition his music deserves.”
Watch the video for ‘A Lake’ here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iPbxK1rxeU
Created by Milne and his partner Anns Taylor it was filmed out at Riverhead and follows Milne through his morning preparations (coffee, baked beans, a shave) before heading to the woods for a spooky group session of ritual magic.
Like the song itself, the video seeks to look beneath the surface of the everyday. The video’s exclusive, secluded vibe echoes the similarly reclusive, night-owl process of making the album, which was tracked entirely during dark hours at plastic moulding factory Gyro Plastics in the Hutt Valley. Mike Fabulous (Lord Echo, Fabulous/Arabia) co-produced the whole affair.
Along with ‘A Lake’ comes the news that Lawrence Arabia is set to take Absolute Truth on tour with his full band around New Zealand in July.
Lawrence Arabia ~ Absolute Truth Album Release Tour
Wednesday 13 July ~ Oamaru ~ Grainstore Gallery
Thursday 14 July ~ Queenstown ~ Sherwood
Friday 15 July ~ Dunedin ~ Maori Hill Coronation Hall
Saturday 16 July ~ Christchurch ~ Blue Smoke
Friday 22 July ~ Napier ~ Cabana
Saturday 23 July ~ Wellington ~ San Fran
Friday 29 July ~ Auckland ~ Crystal Palace
Tickets are available here and now over at Under the Radar.