Former Books member Nick Zammuto already released one fantastic solo record since that influential duo’s demise. Now he’s on to the second, and judging from lead single “Great Equator,” Anchor is going to be even more astounding than Zammuto’s self-titled debut. The song is this wonderfully sprawling dose of avant-pop dressed up in wistful guitar lines and scattered bleeps and bloops worthy of a Hit-Boy production. It’s brisk, brainy, beautiful music that never loses sight of its humanity. Listen to it.

(via Pitchfork)

Incidentally, the rhythm in “Great Equator” was created by scratching patterns into vinyl as demonstrated in this video, which is like some Jack White parlor trick put to practical use:

Anchor is out 9/2 on Temporary Residence. Pre-order it here. Here’s the tracklist:

01 “Good Graces”
02 “Great Equator”
03 “Hegemony”
04 “Henry Lee” (Trad.)
05 “Need Some Sun”
06 “Don’t Be a Tool”
07 “Electric Ant”
08 “IO”
09 “Stop Counting”
10 “Sinker”
11 “Your Time”

Zammuto tour dates:

8/28 New Haven, CT @ The Outer Space
8/29 Burlington, VT @ Signal Kitchen
8/30 Portland, ME @ SPACE Gallery
9/6 Montreal, Quebec @ Il Motore
9/7 Toronto, Ontario @ The Garrison
9/9 Chicago, IL @ Schubas
9/10 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock
9/11 Omaha, NE @ Waiting Room
9/12 Denver, CO @ Lost Lake
9/13 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
9/15 Seattle, WA @ Barboza
9/16 Vancouver, BC @ Media Club
9/17 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
9/19 Santa Cruz, CA @ Crepe Place
9/20 San Francisco, CA @ Brick & Mortar
9/21 Los Angeles, CA @ The Satellite
9/23 San Diego, CA @ Casbah
9/24 Phoenix, AZ @ Last Exit
9/25 Tucson, AZ @ Flycatcher
9/27 Austin, TX @ Holy Mountain
9/28 Dallas, TX @ Index Fest