Cursive sign to Run for Cover Records and announce new album ‘Devourer’

News

6 Jun

Freshly signed to Run for Cover Records, Cursive have announced their upcoming album, Devourer, set to release on 13 September.

The iconic Omaha band, known for their intensity and ambitious sound, continues to push the boundaries of indie rock and post-hardcore with their tenth studio album. Devourer promises a collection of intense and incisive songs, showcasing why Cursive has remained influential and vital over the past three decades. The lead single, "Up and Away," is out now, accompanied by a video directed by Brea Grant and starring Jonah Ray. The track, anchored by a sinuous bassline, exemplifies Cursive’s signature blend of dissonance and deep melody.

Talking about the new single singer/guitarist Tim Kasher said:

“‘Up And Away’ is an unusual pop song, it kind of slinks about musically,” explains singer/guitarist Tim Kasher. “I had the ‘up, up, up, up, up, up and away’ section of lyrics in my head from its inception but hadn't planned on using something so bright, cheery and arguably trite...until it occurred to me that what I was really singing about was something floating away from me, something I was losing, not my personal elevation into some stratosphere. So, it stuck. The video is the first in a series of horror-esque stories we've been planning for some time now, a collection of videos created by genre directors. Brea Grant conceived this story of a down-on-his-luck loafer who gets consumed by his own depression, swallowed into some surreal underworld of blanket forts where Cursive seems to be wallowing as well.”

In the years since their 1995 formation, Cursive developed into one of the most important groups to emerge from the late-’90s/early ‘00s moment when the lines between indie rock and post-hardcore began blurring into something altogether new. Albums like Domestica (2000) and The Ugly Organ (2003) became essential touchstones whose echoes can still be heard in new bands today. The pull of nostalgia can be strong over time, but Cursive’s work has often felt like a rejection of those comfort zones; the band has continually pushed themselves, with Kasher’s artistic restlessness steering them ahead. In fact, for Kasher, whose pointed observations always begin with looking inward first, it was an interrogation of this voracious creativity that planted the seeds of Devourer.

Talking about the album Kasher said:

“I am obsessive about consuming the arts, music, film, literature. I’ve come to recognize that I devour all of these art forms then, in turn, create my own versions of these things and spew them out onto the world. It’s positive; you’re part of an ecosystem. But I quickly recognized that the term, ‘Devourer,’ may also embody something gnarly, sinister.” Devourer delves into that darker space. The characters populating the album have bottomless capacities for consumption, whether it’s resources, material goods, art, or even each other. Then they are consumed by larger forces, whether it’s humanity, Earth, dreams, time, or life itself. “Maybe a better word for it is imperialism,” Kasher says. “But it’s in many different forms. It’s not just the political. It’s personal imperialism and the imperialism of relationships, the way we imperialize one another, even ourselves.”

Devourer is a thematic and musical journey, filled to the brim with heady topics and intricate compositions. Fans can expect Cursive's characteristic blend of intense lyricism and innovative soundscapes. The album was written during an incredibly prolific period for Kasher, who penned 69 compositions, of which 20 were refined in the practice space, and a curated 13 made it to the final album.

The album, recorded at Omaha’s ARC Studios and co-produced by Marc Jacob Hudson (Against Me!, Thursday, Fireworks) alongside the band, captures a sense of urgency and freshness. Now seven members strong, Cursive has a diverse musical palette at their disposal. The core trio of Kasher, bassist Matt Maginn, and guitarist/vocalist Ted Stevens are joined by keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist Patrick Newbery, cellist Megan Siebe, recording/touring drummer Pat Oakes, and founding drummer Clint Schnase, who combine to deliver a powerful and dynamic sound on Devourer.

Save the date for Devourer, and watch the video for “Up and Away”: