Dance Gavin Dance aren’t exactly known for playing it safe, but their latest single might just be one of the wildest swings they’ve ever taken. “Space Cow Initiation Ritual” – yes, that’s really the name – sees the post-hardcore heavyweights teaming up with none other than funk legend George Clinton. The result? A chaotic, groove-laced fever dream that blends absurdist charm with an irresistible rhythm you can’t help but move to.
Guitarist Will Swan calls the collaboration “surreal,” and you can hear why. Clinton’s unmistakable groove meets DGD’s sharp-edged riffs and off-the-wall energy in a way that somehow makes perfect sense. It’s funky, it’s heavy, it’s weird—and it’s exactly why you can’t stop hitting replay.
The track comes straight from the band’s upcoming 11th studio album Pantheon, landing September 12th via Rise Records. If their last record, Jackpot Juicer, was a slick, genre-bending statement, Pantheon is shaping up to be its raw, experimental sibling—leaning heavier, darker, and more unpredictable while still packing the band’s signature hooks.
It’s also the first full-length since the passing of beloved bassist Tim Feerick, and you can feel that resilience and gratitude woven through every note. The band—now made up of Andrew Wells, Jon Mess, Will Swan, and Matthew Mingus—have been through the wringer, but instead of losing momentum, they’ve turned that chaos into something powerful.
Whether you’re here for the breakdowns, the funk grooves, or just to see what happens when two musical worlds collide, “Space Cow Initiation Ritual” is worth your time. And if this is the kind of energy Pantheon is bringing, September can’t come fast enough.
