After quietly releasing their self-titled debut album in 1999 while still in college, American Football disbanded after the album’s release to focus on other projects, only to reunite 15 years later to a fanbase that had been consistently growing throughout the underground / emo scene. The album later appeared on Rolling Stone’s “40 Greatest Emo Albums of All Time” While Pitchfork gave its deluxe reissue the “Best New Reissue” title, calling it the “most influential album in the genre.” The reunion was followed by 2 more self-titled full-length albums (LP2 and LP3), collaborations with the likes of Paramore’s Hayley Williams, San Holo, boyband and others, as well as numerous sold-out world tours.
American Football have followed their first new music since 2019’s excellent “LP3“. It’s a new song called “Rare Symmetry” which feels cut from the same lush, atmospheric cloth as “LP3”, backed by a gorgeous cover of Mazzy Star’s “Fade Into You” with guest vocals by Miya Folick.
On the “Rare Symmetry / Fade Into You” 10” single, American Football (Mike Kinsella, Nate Kinsella, Steve Holmes) expand on the dense beauty of “LP3″ with “Rare Symmetry”, incorporating chiming vibraphones, intricate picking patterns, and devastating lyrics. For the B-side, the band offers up a dazzling cover of Mazzy Star’s 1994 hit single, “Fade Into You,” with Miya Folick contributing vocals.
“I think all my friends are jealous that I’m on an American Football song,” said Miya. “I truly couldn’t believe when they asked me to sing with them. And to sing this song. Is there anyone who has heard ‘Fade Into You’ and not loved it? To me, it is a perfect song. I feel ancient when I sing it.”
“Fade Into You” is kind of an over-covered song, but this one’s very worth hearing. American Football truly make it their own; they stretch it from a five-minute song to a seven-minute song, incorporate their trademark guitar and trumpet style, and if you didn’t know any better, you really might mistake this for an American Football original.
“Fade Into You” featuring Miya Folick (originally by Mazzy Star) is the new digital single from American Football – 10″ vinyl arrives June 10th, 2022.
The songs are the band’s final recordings with drummer/trumpeter Steve Lamos, who amicably left the band earlier this year. They’re coming out as a 10″ vinyl single on June 10 via Polyvinyl Records.
Pre-order the new 10″ on pink vinyl.
The Fat Angel Sings 