Blue Lake’s Jason Dungan Announces New Album The Animal
After the release of his mini-album Weft in January, Copenhagen-based musician Jason Dungan is poised to unveil his next studio album, The Animal, on October 3, 2023. This release marks a significant evolution in Dungan’s musical journey, as it is his first project recorded with a full band in a studio.
Collaborative Production
Produced by Dungan alongside Aske Zidore, the album promises a richer sound, enhanced by the mixing expertise of Jeff Zeigler, known for his collaboration with the War on Drugs. Dungan revealed his ambitions for this album through a press statement, emphasizing themes that connect humans to the larger animal environment.
Concept Behind The Animal
Dungan elaborated on the album’s concept, stating, “I’m quite fascinated in thinking about humans more as part of the animal environment and not as something that’s so separated into a ‘human’ realm.” He challenges the notion of hierarchical perspectives of life, emphasizing that humanity shares existence with all forms of life, from moss to sparrows.
The artist further reflected on the complex relationship between nature and human activity: “I don’t think it’s possible now to think about nature as a pure or isolated thing… animals forge relationships and navigate the city without language. It’s not an experience of nature which is bucolic and uncomplicated; it’s bound up in human activity.”
Lead Single Cut Paper
To complement the album announcement, Dungan has released the lead single, “Cut Paper,” which encapsulates the thematic elements of The Animal. Listeners can enjoy the new track through this link.
Tracklist and Availability
The Animal features a diverse tracklist that includes:
- Circles
- Cut Paper
- Berlin
- Flowers for David
- Seeds
- Yarrow
- Strand
- The Animal
- Vertical Hold
- To Read
The album will be available for purchase on platforms like Tonal Union and other music services.
Broader Context
Dungan’s previous work, Sun Arcs, received considerable acclaim, even ranking at No. 46 in "The 50 Best Albums of 2023." With The Animal, Dungan is poised to engage a new audience while expanding the conversations surrounding human-animal connections in our increasingly complex world.
Conclusion
The release of The Animal shows Jason Dungan’s commitment to exploring meaningful themes in music, underscoring humanity’s interconnection with the natural world. This album is expected to make waves not only for its sound but for the thought-provoking ideas it presents. As listeners prepare for its release, the significance of its themes is likely to resonate across various discussions around environmentalism and the human experience.
