The Cali-based musician is heading out on a UK and EU tour in April.
Mike Krol shared his new video and single What’s The Rhythm, taken from his forthcoming album Power Chords which is set for release on 25 January via Merge. Shot in East LA, director Sam Macon aimed to strip things way down to the most basic elements. Macon comments, “A killer song. A great performer. I wanted these elements to come together to create a pure extension of the song itself. We wanted to take things back to a more straightforward and, in all honesty, punk approach.”
On Power Chords, you will find yourself back in familiar Krol territory: aggressive and assertive, scratchy and raw, catchy as hell – but something has changed. The sounds have a new density, and so do the stories. Krol’s lyrics have always walked a fine line between self-acceptance and self-destruction, but throughout Power Chords, they reveal a new sense of self-awareness.
Of all the breakups in Mike Krol’s songs, the most harrowing story is about his breakup with music. In 2015, coming off of his best record yet and the ensuing world tour, Krol found himself in the midst of a full-blown existential crisis. He’d invested everything to create the rock-and-roll life he’d always wanted, but he wasn’t sure the life wanted him back. Power Chords picks up where 2015’s Turkey left off. It traces Krol’s journey back to punk rock, harnessing both the guitar technique and the musical redemption referenced in its title. To rediscover the power in those chords, Krol recorded for two-plus years in three separate locations (Nashville, Los Angeles, and Krol’s native Wisconsin) with the majority produced by Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Trail of Dead).
Deliriously infectious, Power Chords is an evolution in sound, structure and themes, serving as Krol’s boldest and longest record to date at 34 minutes. It’s hard-fought and hard-won, bloodied and bruised. And more importantly: defiant and triumphant.
Mike Krol embarks on a full North American tour next month before heading to Europe and the UK in support of Power Chords.
Here are his UK tour dates:
Mon 22 April – London – The Social
Tue 23 April – Bristol – Crofters Rights
Wed 24 April – Manchester – The Castle
Thu 25 April – Glasgow – Hug & Pint
Fri 26 April – Leeds – Brudenell Social Club
Sat 27 April – London – Test Pressing Festival, Hackney Wick
High Fives & Stage Dives 