The wait for new Arcade Fire material has at times seemed torturous. The slow and painful build up, similar to that of Daft Punk earlier this year, has been akin to the greatest advertising campaigns I have witnessed in the history of music. The first brief video (including no real discernible music) had the word 'REFLEKTOR' being written onto a blackboard. That was the only old fashioned thing about it - a black and white video with a blackboard and chalk. Then, this past week short videos and announcements have left the new music on the mind of many a music fan. It certainly does build up the excitement around a band who has already delivered previously on multiple occasions. So, for those who love the band, and even beyond, this has become something to incite great waves of interest. A new Arcade Fire release is a special moment. For surely the band has become one of the most significant and one of the best of this side of the millennium.
So, to 9pm on September 9 (9/9, this imminent Monday), finally the new song with its accompanying video can be witnessed, processed, absorbed and probably admired the world over. This again defines the way music now reaches us and is enjoyed. Okay, so I thought perhaps people had been tricked into believing the album was to be called 'Reflektor' and that maybe it would be the title of the first single. From reading other sources it appears to be the name of both, though definitely the brand new lead single to be lifted from the album, released on the final Monday (Tuesday in the US) of October.
What can we expect then? Arcade Fire is not a band that really lets its fans down. The standard of all three of their previous long players is exceptional, and they are works that have genuine heart and soul, cohesion, and identities. There are powerful themes of love that carry a weight of values, of the beauty of the world and the tragedy that goes along with it. It is simply a band for the times. Having seen the band live on numerous occasions it is hard to think of a set of musicians whose performances are so life enhancing and loaded with intense rays of passion. I have no idea what the new album will sound like, as each of their previous efforts has had its own unique sonic palette, though always staying true to its roots and sounding like it could only be the Canadian band, but I feel sure it will be spectacular. Win Butler's herculean vocals always sound like he is sweetly or frenetically carrying us toward the end of time, the musicianship of every member is phenomenal as the group constantly switch instruments, and together they form a unit that is so tight they know when they have stumbled upon beautiful and magical sounds. They just know somehow. We know this though - less information, more intrigue, ever growing curiosity, until people are talking and the interest is finally satisfied. The cloud of mystique is what makes this all so much fun.
Monday is indeed a special day. This is a band that cares, that gives money to charity, that seems less interested in so many of the mundane aspects of modern life, and really can enhance our own lives positively. The wait for the new song is almost over. Long live Arcade Fire!
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