Led by composer, multi-instrumentalist and creative mastermind Seth Applebaum, the New York-based psych soul outfit and JOVM mainstay act Ghost Funk Orchestra will be releasing their fifth album, Yours in The Ranks of Death through Karma Chief Records on December 4, 2026.
Reflective and ethereal, the JOVM mainstays’ fifth album reportedly finds Applebuam pairing down the sounds and conceptual underpinnings, providing his signature trippy grooves and cinematic arrangements a much cleaner pocket.
Yours is The Ranks of Death will include “Ocotillo,” which features Julia Zivic on lead vocals; “Yours” and “Leave Me Alone,” which feature Camellia Hartman on lead vocals; and the album’s latest single “A Hell Below,” which features longtime collaborator, Megan Mancini on lead vocals. Arguably one of the more introspective songs in the JOVM mainstays’ growing catalog, “A Hell Below” features a sparse arrangement of atmospheric and twinkling keys and strutting funk guitar. The production puts the jazzy drum pattern and Mancini’s vocal, singing with — and about — yearning for a past that seemed far simpler.
The song is rooted in the bittersweet, rose-colored nostalgia informed by getting older, of having more complicated responsibilities and obligations, of “growing up” in a world on fire, of the realization that you’ve also fucked things up royally and still have shit to learn.
As the band explains “A Hell Below” is a song about uncertainty; an ode to daydreaming about what might be missing in your life.
____
The Joy of Violent Movement is a completely independent and completely D.I.Y. media outlet. Over the course of this site’s 16 year history, I’ve used my fiercely independent stance to cover music with an eclectic and global perspective that a lot of other publications just don’t have — and will likely never have.
To that end, I could use your support to continue to keep bringing you my unique global perspective on music. There are a number of ways that you can support this work.
I’ve been told that some people would prefer to make a one-time donation because it’s easy and less of an obligation. So, if you’re able to make a one-time donation, there’s a donation box below.
Make a one-time donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
If you can give more regularly, please feel free to check out my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement.
Anything you can give is very much appreciated. It can and does make a real difference, y’all.
I know that a lot of folks are struggling to make ends meet in an uncertain and tumultuous economic climate. So there are other, non-financial ways in which you can support this work.
You can follow me on the following social platforms:
X/Twitter: @yankee32879 and @joyofviolent
Instagram: @william_ruben_helms
Threads: @william_ruben_helms
Bluesky: @williamrubenhelms.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement
As always, if there are posts that you dig, share them with your friends. The more eyeballs on my work, the better.
Discover more from The Joy of Violent Movement
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.