Dallon Weekes, the brilliant mind behind I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME, is readying the release of his sleek new album, GLOOM DIVISION, in the new year. Featuring a cutting-edge mix of R&B, post-punk, and art pop, Weekes contends with love, vanity, and satanic panic across a dozen tracks that pull from Hall & Oates as much as they do the Flaming Lips. It’s set to be another daring statement from Weekes, who’s teasing the project with a new single called “GLOOMTOWN BRATS.” The song is theatrical, takes shots at nepo lifestyles, and comes with a tour announcement that will see iDKHOW support the record (out Feb. 23 via Concord) throughout March and April.
Read more: Every Weezer album ranked: From worst to best
“Writing has always been an outlet to exorcise your demons or difficult emotions, but with GLOOM DIVISION, I made a conscious effort to stop censoring myself when it comes to the subject material, or what I wanted to say,” he says.
Ahead of its release, Weekes walked us through a handful of tracks that shaped and enlivened his second studio album.
Ian Dury & The Blockheads – “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll”
A classic song that’s often misinterpreted as being about excess, but really it’s a warning about the futility and banality of pursuing a life of 9-to-5 jobs.
The Flaming Lips – “Race For The Prize”
The Flaming Lips were the first band to teach me that feedback, broken and smashed-sounding drums, and dirty, unwinding tape machines can be beautiful, too. What an opening! A beautiful punch in the face.
Louis Xiv – “Louis Xiv”
Criminally underrated act from the early ’00s. This is rock ’n’ roll. Who else could get away with naming a song after themselves, or possibly a French monarch?
Blur – “On Your Own”
In the post-grunge ’90s, Britpop became my place for refuge from the popular music of the time. (See also: Pulp/Radiohead/Supergrass/etc.) Blur was always my favorite. Still are.
Foxygen – “Face the Facts”
A fantastic song about accepting a creeping reality, even if it may not be pleasant. “You’re never gonna be a famous rock ’n’ roller”? What a great line! Foxygen are totally unafraid to be weird with their production. I love this.
Player – “Baby Come Back”
One day, we all succumb to the bewitching, come-hither world of yacht rock. You may not believe me right now. That’s fine. I’ll see you on the deck, when you’re ready.
The Cars – “I’m Not the One”
I have vague memories of this song as a child, and then more in the ’90s. It took me a while to find out who it was exactly (pre-internet). Of course it was the Cars.
Weezer – “No Other One”
When Pinkerton dropped, I loved it right away. Not everyone did, and I had a hard time understanding why. I thought it was brilliant and noisy and sounded the way my brain felt. It was perfect.
Hall & Oats – “Rich Girl”
Those of us who grow up without money will always be able to rely upon the “well-to-do” as fodder for pop songs. It’s the very least they can do.
Phantom Planet – “The Happy Ending”
Their self-titled album is easily in my Top 10. They were kind enough to allow me to sample the drums from this song for “DOWNSIDE.” Give them a listen today, or at your earliest convenience.
Catch iDKHOW on the road at one of the many dates below.
iDKHOW 2024 tour dates
December 30 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
March 15 – Nashville, TN – Eastside Bowl *
March 17 – Atlanta, GA – Hell as Masquerade *
March 19 – Orlando, FL – Plaza Live *
March 20 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room *
March 21 – Tampa, FL – Crowbar *
March 23 – Raleigh, NC – Motorco *
March 24 – Richmond, VA – The National *
March 25 – Washington, DC – Atlantis *
March 26 – Philadelphia, PA – Brooklyn Bowl Philly *
March 28 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza *
March 29 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall *
March 30 – Rochester, NY – Montage Music Hall *
April 1 – Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Iron Works *
April 2 – Toronto, ON – The Axis Club *
April 5 – Detroit, MI – Shelter *
April 6 – Columbus, OH – Newport *
April 8 – Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge *
April 9 – Milwaukee, WI – Rave II *
April 11 – Minneapolis, MN – Fineline *
April 12 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre *
April 13 – St. Louis, MO – Delmar Hall *
April 15 – Colorado Springs, CO – Black Sheep *
April 16 – Denver, CO – Ogden *
April 19 – Seattle, WA – Crocodile *
April 20 – Vancouver, BC – Fortune Sound Club *
April 21 – Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theatre *
April 24 – San Francisco, CA – August Hall *
April 26 – Los Angeles, CA – Regent *
April 28 – San Diego, CA – Music Box *
* with Benches
