Listen to Chastity Belt’s Moody New Single, “Drown”
Photo by Beto Brakmo
Seattle indie-rock quartet Chastity Belt have released one last single off their forthcoming self-titled album, coming Sept. 20 on Hardly Art. “Drown” is the third and final advance track off Chastity Belt, following album opener “Ann’s Jam” and second cut “Elena,” released in July and August, respectively.
Chastity Belt singer/guitarist Julia Shapiro says of the band’s new single, “I started writing ‘Drown’ back when I was 23 … so almost six years ago. It came together with the band a few years later. It feels good to finally put it out into the world! Everyone’s parts on it are really intricate and thoughtful, and overall add to the moodiness of the song.”
The moodiness to which Shapiro alludes makes for a somewhat more subdued song than is typical of Chastity Belt, a deviation for which “Drown” is all the stronger. “Believe me / Believe me, this is a way out,” Shapiro promises over chiming guitars and splashy percussion—it’s as if the song’s instrumentation itself is submerged. “And doesn’t the water feel good / on your skin?” Shapiro wonders, her voice distant and impassive, evoking a sense of empty relief that vanishes as soon as you’ve checked to see whether it’s real.
Co-produced by the band and Melina Duterte (aka Jay Som), Chastity Belt is the fourth album from its eponymous indie rockers, following their acclaimed 2017 LP I Used To Spend So Much Time Alone. Shapiro released her solo debut Perfect Version over the summer.
Chastity Belt will tour Europe and North America alongside GANG and Strange Ranger this fall in support of their new record, including a newly announced hometown show at Seattle’s Easy Street Records on Sunday, Sept. 22. You’ll find their complete tour itinerary further down this page.