We first heard bits of “Winter ’98” in the short film where CYMBALS announce the release of The Age of Fracture, title kindly borrowed from a book with the same name by Princeton academic Daniel T. Rodgers.
The whole album is a collaboration with novelist and poet Joe Dunthorne (author of Submarine). Inspired by CYMBALS songs and photographs, he wrote a story and a poem for it.
This version of the opening album track was recorded at the Sebright Arms pub in London back in June. Keeping their disco soul and shunning earnestness, this song is more elaborate and sophisticated than their previous work, as well as the rest of the new material, including some French singing and sticky brand new drumming as they aim to “make people want to dance and feel joy.”
While they add more tour dates, The Age of Fracture will be out on January 27th on Tough Love Records, where you can now pre-order a double vinyl gatefold.