Xiu Xiu return with 'OH NO' (out 3/26) + listen to lead single "A Bottle of Rum" ft. Liz Harris

January 27, 2021

Xiu Xiu return with OH NO, a collection of staggeringly impressive duets, arriving March 26. The band's 12th studio album features collaborations from Sharon Van Etten, Chelsea Wolfe, Alice Bag, Haley Fohr of Circuit des Yeux, Owen Pallett, Twin Shadow, along with members of Deerhoof, Drab Majesty, Liars, Shearwater, and more. OH NO was born from betrayal but now exists thanks to the “profound rediscovery of community and friendship.” To herald the announcement, the two-piece has shared lead single "A Bottle of Rum" featuring Liz Harris with an exciting new video directed by band member Angela Seo.

Pre-order your Early Bird edition on Half Scarlet/Half Cream (limited to 750), add an exclusive Test Pressing with a screen-printed alternate cover (limited to 50) and 10% of proceeds will be donated to the Ron Finley Project. OH NO's spectacular merch offering includes a flask, necklace, keychain, and More Hot Than Sad Hot Sauce – produced in collaboration with Chicago, IL-based Soothsayer Hot Sauce.

"A Bottle of Rum" is arguably more melodic than many Xiu Xiu songs. Featuring Liz Harris's vocals on the harmonies, it exudes dreamy qualities mashed together with Stewart's trademark ambiguous lyricism. According to Stewart: “I had been trying to write a song on this bajo quinto to no avail and then drunkenly (A Bottle of Rum) listened to Liz's song, “Heavy Water/I'd Rather Be Sleeping.” A spark shone and feebly I tried to write something that, at least at first, sounded like it. I had asked Liz Harris, who is an old friend, if she would sing on this new record of duets. Initially I thought of her for another song but she specifically, although not knowing she had been the inspiration behind it in the first place, asked to be on this one. If the stars ever have aligned... well then.”

Of the video Angela Seo shares: “This video, as often is with Xiu videos, is an amalgamation of things that I want and am into lately. When I was a kid, I always wanted a video camera and was fascinated with tapes, but couldn't afford one. I'm an adult now, and can buy what I want, so I bought a used mini DV camera. I like how the tapes look, the specific way they capture color, and also the tactile feeling of inserting and ejecting a tape.” She adds: “Also, I've always had a love for noir films and their penchant for shadows, fate, doom, and drama. Our friend and superb drummer David Kendrick (Sparks, Devo, Xiu Xiu) wrote a three part noir story and this is part 1. In keeping with the times, most of this was intentionally DIY, shot alone or with just a couple of friends and a tripod.”

“The guest stars of OH NO reflect the types of people, and many of the very same, who helped remind me that the ratio of beautiful humans to shitty humans is more like 60/40 rather than what I have always assumed was 1/99,” says Jamie Stewart. “Although there is an ‘I HATE PEOPLE’ pin on my guitar strap, I hate them less now.”

His revelation, and the music that has come out of it, is a reminder of the power of Xiu Xiu's music to surprise and connect. Listening to the songs on OH NO, it is hard to feel truly alone. Instead, it is a reminder that even when we’re alone, we’re alone together.

TRACK LIST