Phoenix’s lead single from their forthcoming Ti Amo is a welcome return to form for the synth-pop group, and an utter delight to hear. And we’ll be damned if the song’s new video isn’t even more enjoyable.
The conceit of “J-Boy” is basic enough: Phoenix is performing on the stage of some Italian late-night show that probably stopped production in 1976. It’s got that hazy camera look. There are the goofy shots of the band playing from before when people figured out how to make live music performances look cool. There’s that cheesy Channel 4 logo in the bottom right that would take like four seconds to make now, but probably took two days back then. And, of course, Thomas Mars is sporting his finest Hawaiian-style shirt (though those never go out of style).
The band’s talked about Ti Amo as being: “heavily inspired by a romanticized vision of Italy and built around “simple, pure emotions—love, desire, lust, and innocence,” and a lot of that comes through here. The wide-eyed innocence is unmistakable and the appreciation for all things Romanesque is loud and clear. This isn’t a goofy send-up or deep-level satire, but a warm embrace.
Ti Amo is out June 9 via Glassnote. Find out more about the record here, check out the “J-Boy” video above and watch the band live-debut the track here. Phoenix start their world tour today, and you’ll find those dates below.
Phoenix Tour Dates:
May
12 – Miami, Fla. @ Fillmore *
13 – Orlando, Fla. @ House of Blues *
14 – Atlanta, Ga. @ Shaky Knees Festival
15 – Nashville, Tenn. @ Ryman Auditorium *
June
02 – Philadelphia, Pa. @ The Fillmore +
03 – New York, N.Y. @ Governor’s Ball
04 – Toronto, Ontario @ Field Trip Festival
05 – Chicago, Ill. @ Aragon Ballroom +
07 – Morrison, Colo. @ Red Rocks + %
11 – San Diego, Calif. @ 91x Valley View Casino Center
13 – Phoenix, Ariz. @ Marquee Theater +
14 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ Brooklyn Bowl +
15 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ Hollywood Bowl +
29 – Vilanova i la Geltru, Spain @ Vida Festival
30 – Marmande, France @ Garorock Festival
July
06 – Lisbon, Portugal @ NOS Alive
07 – Bilbao, Spain @ Bilbao BBK Live
08 – Herouville-St-Clair, France @ Beauregard Festival
09 – Belfort, France @ Les Eurockeenes Festival
13 – Aix-les-Bains, France @ Musilac Festival
14 – Carhaix, France @ Les Vieilles Charrues
12-16 – Dour, Belgium @ Dour Festival
14-16 – Berlin, Germany @ Melt! Festival
20-22 – Wiesen, Austria @ Out of the Woods
22 – Roma, Italy @ Postepay Rock in Roma
August
11-12 – Bali, Indonesia @ Sunny Side Up Festival
11-13 – Jakarta, Indonesia @ We The Fest
15 – Manila, Philippines @ Araneta Coliseum
18-20 – Osaka, Japan @ Summersonic Festival
18-20 – Tokyo, Japan @ Summersonic Festival
September
02 – Dublin, Ireland @ Electric Picnic
29 – Paris, France @ AccorHotels Area
30 – London, UK @ Alexandra Palace
(* = with Whitney)
(+ = with The Lemon Twigs)
(% = with Miike Snow)