Get ready to dance. Unknown Mortal Orchestra has unleashed, “Can’t Keep Checking My Phone,” the latest track from their third LP, Multi-Love, due out May 26th via Jagjaguwar.
The song, now the third track shared from Multi-Love, is a fresh sound from frontman Ruban Nielson and UMO: “Can’t Keep Checking My Phone” is the most dance-heavy track the New Zealand group has in their repertoire, rightly equipped with handclaps, catchy and diving bass lines, and Nielson’s fully refined vocals round out the song perfectly.
The track is a representation of the use of technology in relationships (if you can’t tell by the title). Says Nielson of the song:
“Cant Keep Checking My Phone” is about missing somebody and that point where you refuse to accept online “connectivity” as a substitute for being with someone IRL. When someone you love turns into text and ideas delivered through a device, at some point they’re competing with real things like the aurora borealis, which is another thing that only really makes sense in the flesh. I also read somewhere that the universe might be holographic, and in that case maybe the distance between us is just an illusion. So do you fall in love with the idea of someone? Or the chemicals they give off in person? Either way, I’ve got to get off my phone.
Ruban and UMO will go out on a world tour starting in May, dates are below. Pre-order Multi-Love here.
UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA TOUR DATES
May 9 – Seattle, WA – Barboza
May 10 – Spokane, WA – The Bartlett
May 20 – Bristol, UK – Thekla
May 21 – London, UK – Islington Assembly Hall
May 22 – Coventry, UK – Warwick University
May 23 – Liverpool, UK – Sound City
May 25 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Bitterzoet
May 26 – Berlin, Germany – Berghain Katine
May 27 – Brussels, Belgium – AB Club
May 28 – Paris, France – La Fleche d’or
May 28-30 – Barcelona, Spain – Primavera Sound
May 29-31 – Nimes, France – This Is Not a Love Song
June 2 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
June 3 – Montreal, QC – Fairmount Theatre
June 4 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
June 6 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
June 8 – Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock
June 9 – Omaha, NE – Waiting Room
June 10 – St. Louis, MO – The Firebird
June 11 to 14 – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo
June 13 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
June 14 – Carboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
June 15 – Washington, DC – U Street Music Hall
June 16 – Philadelphia, PA – Boot and Saddle
June 17 – Philadelphia, PA – Boot and Saddle
June 19 – Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw
July 14 – Bergen, Norway @ Landmark
July 16 to 19 – Southwold, UK – Latitude Festival
July 23 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater
July 25 – Seatlle, WA – Capitol Hill Block Party
July 28 – Boise, ID – Neurolux
July 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
July 31 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
Aug. 1 – Santa Fe, NM – Santa Fe Reporter Block Party
Aug. 2 – Phoenix, AZ – The Crescent Ballroom
Aug. 3 – Tucson, AZ – Club Congress
Aug. 5 – San Diego, CA – Casbah
Aug. 6 – Los Angeles, CA – The Roxy Theatre
Aug. 7 to 9 – San Francisco, CA – Outside Lands