Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds return with their new album ‘Wild God’ on August 30th. Today, they release ‘Long Dark Night’, the third single from the band’s 18th studio album.
This intimate twilight ballad is inspired by the poem ‘Dark Night of the Soul’ by the Spanish 16th-century poet St. John of the Cross. Through its reflective lyrics, the track evokes the poem’s themes of struggle and transcendence.
Stream and download ‘Long Dark Night’ here.
Cave says,
“Long Dark Night is inspired by one of the greatest and most powerful poems of conversion ever written. Ultimately, though, it’s a beautiful country tune. It feels like a sweet companion to the song, Wild God.”
Across ten tracks, the band dance between convention and experimentation, taking left-turns and detours that heighten the rich imagery and emotion in Cave’s soul-stirring narratives. It is the sound of a group emboldened by reconnection and taking flight. There are moments that touch fondly upon the Bad Seeds’ past but they are fleeting, and serve only to imbue the relentless and restless forward motion of the band.
Produced by Cave and Warren Ellis, and mixed by David Fridmann, Cave began writing the album on New Year’s Day 2023. With sessions at Miraval in Provence and Soundtree in London, the Bad Seeds added their unique alchemy, with additional performances from Colin Greenwood (bass) and Luis Almau (nylon string guitar, acoustic guitar).
‘Wild God’ will be released on Bad Seed in partnership with Play It Again Sam on streaming, CD, and standard and limited edition vinyl. The track listing is as follows:
Song of the Lake
Wild God
Frogs
Joy
Final Rescue Attempt
Conversion
Cinnamon Horses
Long Dark Night
O Wow O Wow (How Wonderful She Is)
As the Waters Cover the Sea
Announced last month, Rough Trade and London’s Kings Place will host an exclusive Q&A with Nick Cave on August 29th, the eve of his record’s release. Attendees can hear the album in full and participate in a Q&A with Cave. Pre-order ‘Wild God’ through Rough Trade by 5pm BST on August 15th for a chance to win tickets. Existing pre-orders are also eligible with registration. No purchase necessary. Click HERE to pre-order and enter.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds have announced their first headline tour of the UK and Europe since 2017, across 17 countries this Autumn, starting on September 24th in Germany with UK shows from 2 November. Due to huge demand for tickets, the band have since added second shows in Berlin, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Copenhagen, Dublin and London. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are widely regarded as one of the greatest live acts in the world today, and these shows are some of the most hotly anticipated of 2024.
UK Tour Dates (with Black Country, New Road)
2 November – Leeds, UK – first direct arena
3 November – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
5 November – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
6 November – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena
8 November – London, UK – The O2 SOLD OUT
9 November – London, UK – The O2
15 November – Birmingham, UK – Resorts World Arena
Find out more about Nick Cave online on his official website.
