Earlier this year, longtime METZ frontman Alex Edkins released his Jim Eno co-produced sophomore Weird Nightmare effort, Hoopla through Sub Pop globally and Dine Alone Records in Canada,
Hoopla sees the Toronto-based JOVM mainstay mixing and matching the wide ranging influences of his time slinging indie rock and hardcore records at his hometown record store while attending university — namely 60s psych rock to 1990s DIY and beyond — in fun, unexpectedly exhilarating combinations, showcasing his sophisticated musical mind, while further cementing his unerring knack for crafting ridiculously catchy, and rousingly anthemic hooks and choruses.
Recorded at Providence‘s world famous Machines With Magnets, Hoopla also sees the acclaimed Canadian artist expanding upon Weird Nightmare’s musical palette with the addition of piano, bells and castanets, which give his long-held straightforward songwriting a shiny luster.
The album features album tracks “Forever Elsewhere,” the Cheap Trick-like “Might See You There,” the punchy punk rock-like “Pay No Mind,” and the earnest and yearning “Where I Belong.” Today, Edkins shared the first bit of new material from Weird Nightmare since the release of Hoopla, the Graham Walsh-produced “Buzzing in My Head.” “Buzzing in My Head” is a syrupy sweet, hooky and rousingly anthemic power pop tune rooted in a unfussy, you-were-there-with-the-band-like production and Edkins earnest, seemingly lived-in lyrics. The track features a backing band of Loel Campbell (drums), Matthew Kuester (bass) continuing their ongoing collaboration, which included Hoopla.
Edkins says of the new single, “‘Buzzing in My Head’ is about that one person/place/thing/memory/experience that never really leaves your waking mind. It says with you to the point of distraction and overwhelms your ability to complete menial tasks.
Weird Nightmare will be closing out the year with a 4-date North American tour run. Check out the tour dates below y’all.
Tour Dates
Wed. Nov. 18 – Toronto, ON – Osler Records
Thu. Nov. 19 – Toronto, ON – Osler Records
Fri. Nov. 20 – Kingston, NY – Tubby’s
Sat. Nov. 21 – Providence, RI – Kafkaesque Festival
Sun. Nov. 22 – Hingham, MA – Ames Chapeli
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