Big Thief has never been a band to follow the expected path. After three years of relative quiet—well, aside from their charity work and scattered live appearances—they’ve emerged with “Incomprehensible,” a track that somehow manages to feel both deeply familiar and startlingly fresh.
The song arrives as our first taste of “Double Infinity,” their upcoming album dropping September 5 on 4AD. And what a curious moment for its arrival, landing just as indie folk seems caught between its roots and whatever comes next.
“Let me be naked alone, with nobody there,” Adrianne Lenker sings, her voice carrying that unmistakable blend of vulnerability and strength that’s become something of a Big Thief signature. The lyrics continue with disarming frankness: “With mis-matched socks and shoes and stuff stuffed in my underwear/Incomprehensible, let me be.” It’s the kind of raw honesty that stops listeners in their tracks—exactly what we’ve come to expect from Big Thief, though they’re never quite content to simply meet expectations.
The band’s evolution hasn’t come without its share of upheaval. Last summer’s departure of bassist Max Oleartchik might have thrown lesser groups into disarray. Yet Big Thief seems to have taken the change as an opportunity to reimagine their sound, now operating as a trio with an expanded circle of collaborators.
Those winter sessions at New York’s Power Station studio proved particularly fruitful. Over three weeks, the band opened their creative process to an impressive roster of guests—ambient pioneer Laraaji, the mesmerizing June McDoom, and others—all while longtime collaborator Dom Monks handled production duties. The result? A collection that promises to push sonic boundaries while keeping one foot firmly planted in the soil of their roots.
What’s particularly striking about the upcoming “Double Infinity” is its organic development. Rather than meticulously plotting each note, the band chose to capture live performances with minimal overdubs. It’s an approach that feels perfectly aligned with their previous work, including their Grammy-nominated “Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You”—an album that NME praised for its loose, natural feel.
Between albums, the band hasn’t exactly been twiddling their thumbs. February saw them release the “Passion Relation” EP, with proceeds supporting LA Wildfire relief efforts. They’ve also been road-testing new material, including ten fresh tracks at last summer’s Project Pabst in Oregon. Meanwhile, Lenker’s solo venture “Bright Future” earned widespread acclaim throughout 2024 for its intimate portraits of life’s unexpected turns.
As September approaches, “Incomprehensible” stands as both invitation and statement of intent. The track weaves traditional indie rock elements with unexpected flourishes—including some rather inspired sitar work—creating something that feels both grounded and adventurous. Perhaps that’s the perfect metaphor for Big Thief’s current chapter: a band determined to explore new territories while remaining true to their essential nature.
In an age where authenticity often feels manufactured, Big Thief continues to chart their own course. “Double Infinity” might just live up to its ambitious title—though we’ll have to wait until September 5 to know for sure.
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