The Maine have just released their new single “Palms”, giving us another taste of their upcoming tenth album Joy Next Door, which lands April 10.
Following earlier singles “Die To Fall” and “Quiet Part Loud”, “Palms” leans into a more energetic, off the cuff feel, with a chorus that pushes back against the idea that everything happens for a reason. It’s a bit more raw in both message and delivery, and it sounds like that was part of the point.
John O’Callaghan explained that the track came together quickly but took time to fully realise. “‘Palms’ was written at zero hour. And while the demo took all but 30 minutes while I was at home, we didn’t get it to final form for another couple months after,” he said. “It may have been a function of thinking too much, but I’m glad we clawed our way through to get it to where you hear it now because it brings a little levity and balance to Joy Next Door.”
The album itself is shaping up to be one of their most intentional projects yet, written and recorded in sequence to build a full narrative across the tracklist. It also continues their long running tradition of tying each era to a colour, with Joy Next Door marking what they’re calling their green era, something drummer Pat Kirch says reflects the organic feel of the record.
Alongside the new music, the band are heading out on their first US headline tour in nearly two years, kicking off this week, before bringing their biggest European headline run to date later this year, including a London show at the Roundhouse. They’ll also be performing “Die To Fall” on The Kelly Clarkson Show in April.
With a tenth album on the way and another single now out in the world, The Maine are building towards what feels like a big moment for the band.
