New York collective Michelle are back with a new single, ‘Cathy,’ offering a fresh glimpse into their upcoming album Songs About You Specifically, set to drop on 27th September via Transgressive Records. Known for their buoyant grooves and contemplative lyrics, the group aren’t holding back with this latest release.
‘Cathy’ plays on the theme of loneliness after a breakup, with the band leaning into the emotions following such an event. As Michelle explains “‘Cathy’ is a soft indie song about being alone after a breakup and leaning into all the thoughts and patterns you know you shouldn’t.”
The song’s lyrics don’t sugarcoat the isolation, but they also carry a wry sense of self-awareness, making it a relatable anthem for anyone who’s been through the wringer of heartache.
The track comes with a moody visual that echoes the song’s introspective tone. The video features Emma confronting herself in the mirror, while Julian and Charlie provide the musical backdrop, and Sofia, Layla, and Jamee blur the lines between reality and daydream with their dance.
Fans won’t have to wait long to see Michelle live, as they’ve also announced a headline North American tour kicking off on 30th October. The tour, cheekily titled A Tour For You Specifically, includes dates across major cities like Vancouver, Seattle, Denver, and Los Angeles, with a couple of additional performances in New York at Pier 17 with Still Woozy on 24th and 25th October.
The new album marks a significant step in the band’s evolution. During the writing process, the group rented a house in Ojai, California, where they traded the chaos of New York for a quieter, introspective environment. “There are friends I’ve had for almost my whole life who I won’t know as intimately as I know members of this group,” reflects Emma Lee. This closeness fostered a deeper sense of trust and vulnerability, which translated into the more honest and raw themes explored in their music.
Julian Kaufman adds, “It’s so easy to write a generic love or breakup song. But many of these stories are true. We’re coming from a really honest place.” This honesty is palpable throughout the album, which is packed with everything from slick funk riffs to starry shoegaze reveries.
If ‘Cathy’ is anything to go by, Songs About You Specifically is shaping up to be an album that reflects Michelle’s growth as artists while staying true to their indie pop roots. For fans new and old, this is an era not to be missed.
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