Psychedelic Toronto trio Absolutely Free have been mostly quiet since their Polaris Prize-nominated self-titled debut in 2014. Last year, the band released a single called “Still Life” that we called “somewhere between disco and chamber pop.” Today, the group have announced that they have a new EP on the way called Geneva Freeport. To give us a taste, Absolutely Free has shared a new single called “Currency” featuring Meg Remy of U.S. Girls.

“Currency” opens with some snappy guitarwork and Remy’s perennially charming vocals. Absolutely Free singer Matt King backs up Remy’s lead delivery. The track takes a decidedly synthy, ’80s slant in the back half, lending the expansive, psychedelic environment that the band is known to deliver.

In a statement to The FADER, Matt King noted that “as a band,” they are “learning to acknowledge the privilege and power we personally gain from systems such as patriarchy, and are feeling conflicted about how we use and/or whether to give up this social capital.”

King goes on, noting Remy’s contribution to the song:

We know that any space we take up means another band doesn’t get to inhabit that space. This is one of the reasons we have taken so long to release new music; because we want to make sure we use whatever bandwidth we are given to share something that is deeply considered and worth paying attention to. Also, we’ve been learning to work more collaboratively, to share the space that we do occupy with others. We were inspired by the Talking Heads album, Remain In Light, when we wrote this record and in this song particularly, we wanted to subvert the “front-man with female back-up singer” trope they upheld. We are so grateful to Meg from U.S. Girls for her contribution and unwavering support for this project, as we are so inspired by her work and ethics.

Watch the stock footage-aided video for “Currency” below.

TRACKLIST
01 “Geneva Freeport”
02 “Currency” (Feat. U.S. Girls)
03 “The Endless Scroll” (Feat. Carl Didur)

TOUR DATES
05/08 – Toronto, ON @ The Garrison, CMW w/ Sauna, Living Hour, Art d’Ecco
05/22-24 – St. John, NFLD @ Lawnya Vawnya
06/20 – Toronto, ON @ TBC
07/06 – Quebec, QC – Meduse – Festival OFF
07/27 – Durham, ON – Crystal Lake Sound
09/21 – Lanark, ON – Hollow Fest

Geneva Freeport EP is out 6/20 via Idée Fixe. Pre-order it here.

CREDIT: Colin Medley