The Copenhagen, Denmark-based duo of Mads Damsgaard Kristiansen and Esben Valloe formed Reptile Youth back in 2009. And their 2012 self-titled debut was released to world-wide critical praise with publications like Spin and Nylon comparing the band to the Rapture and Radio 4. 

“JJ” the band’s latest single, which will be released on February 11th, is a bit of a change of sonic direction as the duo sound much more like the Stone Roses than Gang of Four – in other words, the song is decidedly more psychedelic, and full of layered guitars and feedback. 

Interestingly, the song which was recoded by Jens Benz (who has worked with Iceage) and Simon Littauer, mixed by Brian Thom (known for his work with Arcade Fire) and mastered by Joe Lambert (who has worked with Animal Collective and the National), was inspired by a particularly weird and interesting correspondence the band had with a troubled drug addict by the name of JJ. In fact, lyrically some of the correspondence between the duo and JJ are lyrics within the song.