Big Thief announce new album set to drop in February 2022

American indie-rock band Big Thief announced a new album and shared their latest single ‘Time Escaping’ yesterday (November16.

The new project — titled Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You — arrives on February 11th 2022. DNWMIBIY is a 20-track double LP that explores “deepest elements and possibilities of Big Thief,” according to a statement. You can pre-order the album here.

The project came together after a lengthy Covid-induced isolation. Bass player Max Oleartchik explained how it felt to come together after so long apart:

“We’re a band, we talk, we have different dynamics, we do the breaths, and then we go on stage and suddenly it feels like we are now on a dragon. And we can’t really talk because we have to steer this dragon,” he said.

The group also released their latest single ‘Time Escaping’. It’s an exploration of the relentless passing of time and includes Adrianne Kenner’s trademark dreamy vocals.

This is their fifth single off of the year after ‘Sparrow,’ ‘Little Things,’ ‘Certainty’ and ‘Change.'. DNWMIBIY is “a rambling account of growth as individuals, musicians, and chosen family.”

Drummer James Krivchenia originally pitched the sprawling LP in 2019. It only came to fruition after the band reconvened following isolation. Krivchenia produced the album which they recorded over four sessions.

“One of the things that bonds us together as a band is pure magic,” said principal songwriter Adrianne Lenker.

“I think we all have the same guide and none of us have ever spoken what it is because we couldn’t name it, but somehow, we are all going for the same thing, and when we hit it… we all know it’s it, but none of us to this day, or maybe ever, will be able to articulate in words what the 'it' is.”

“Something about it is magic to me,” she added.

Big Thief are slated to play their biggest Dublin gig to date at The National Stadium on February 26th, 2022. Tickets for the quartet's show in the capital are still available for €29.90 and can be bought here.

The group released their last record Two Hands in 2019. Joey Molloy reviewed the album for Hot Press and wrote:

"Two Hands, feels like a victory lap. Just six months ago, they released a contender for album of the year, U.F.O.F. Despite the proximity of the releases, Two Hands and U.F.O.F. are fundamentally different. The latter was a foray into the realm of celestial folk, recorded in the lush seclusion of pastoral Washington state. Conversely, Two Hands is the earth twin to its alien sister."

The acclaimed record arrived the same year as its "alien sister," U.F.O.F. Fans have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new record since the two-part project and finally got their wishes with the new announcement.

Listen to ‘Time Escaping’ below.