Portland’s experimental avant-folk collective Au (pronounced ay-yoo) released Verbs this week, the declarative follow-up to their debut self-titled album which came out last year. The band is the brainchild of Luke Wyland, a multi-instrumentalist who released his own solo album PeaoftheSea under the simple moniker luc in 2005, and has since been expanding his musical landscapes with the addition of a full band and numerous guest artists.
Verbs features vocal appearances by Sarah Winchester (A Weather) and Becky Dawson (Ah Holly Fam’ly, Saw Whet), and over twenty more Northwestern musicians drop in to lend a hand, including members of Paranthetical Girls and Yellow Swans. The album was tracked at Portland’s Type Foundry Studios over three days, and Wyland did further recording at his home attic studio over the next two months. Brooklyn’s own Aagoo Records is releasing it.
Ay you! Literally. Yeah you, over there–have you been to eMusic lately? We have, and we’re pleased to report that Au‘s sophomore album, Verbs, is available for sale — a full week in advance of its official street date. Comparable to a conservatory-bred Animal Collective, this brainchild of Portland, Oregon’s Luke Wyland is a must have for all you experimental music buyers out there. Earlier this spring, Au played a slew of dates with Blitzen Trapper. But the madness certainly isn’t ending there, folks. Still on tap are a bunch of shows with Deerhoof in the midwest; check below for those dates! And don’t forget to head on over to eMusic and snag Au’s Verbs for yourself, and when you do, know that you’re cooler than the other side of the pillow. Believe the hype. We most certainly do. Dates after the jump.
MP3 : Au – Sleep
