Lambchop releases new album ‘Punching the Clown’

Lambchop has released its 17th studio album, titled ‘Punching the Clown’, marking the group’s first new music in four years. Led by sole continuous member Kurt Wagner, the record features a stripped-back sound primarily utilizing acoustic guitar and banjo, with contributions from Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon on banjo.

The album’s creative direction was inspired by Wagner’s encounter with ‘lined-out singing’, an old form of acapella singing rooted in Scotland and Appalachia. While the record does not strictly emulate that style, it utilizes muted instrumentation and vocal choruses to create a unique harmonic contrast to Wagner’s vocals. The release follows a period of musical experimentation by Wagner, who previously explored electronics and ambient sounds.