Ladytron Release First New Single in Seven Years, “The Animals”

On Thursday, dormant synth-pop quartet Ladytron premiered their first new single in seven years, “The Animals.”

With “The Animals,” the group team up with Jim Abbiss, producer of the group’s acclaimed album Witching Hour, to create a dystopian musical landscape by mixing the group’s trademark dark synth pop with dream pop. The heavy production is met with even heavier lyrics as lead vocalist Helen Marnie sings in a monotone, robotic tone, “There is no law / There is no god,” enhancing the feeling of despair in the song. When speaking of working with Abbiss, Marnie remarked, “He’s the producer who has really understood us the most.”

Along with the release of “The Animals,” the group has another treat for fans in the form of a remix by one-half of legendary synth-pop duo Erasure, Vince Clarke, due for release on Mar. 5. “We have always wanted to work with Vince in some way, he’s obviously a legend in our sphere,” said group member Daniel Hunt of working with Clarke.

The first single is just a taste of what is to come from the group this year. A second single will come out this summer, followed by the group’s sixth album in the fall. The as-yet-titled album will be the group’s sixth studio effort and the first since the release of Gravity the Seducer in 2011. Unlike their previous works, the new album will be released independently through Pledge Music. The campaign allows fans to purchase various versions of the album, along with exclusive items like a limited seven-inch of the original and remixed versions of “The Animals.”

Between musical releases, the group has been very actively pursuing activities outside of the group, with Hunt producing other artists and scoring films, and Marnie releasing two solo albums. Even with a seven-year absence, Ladytron haven’t lost a musical step and are pushing forward to bigger and better horizons.

Listen to the new single “The Animals” below.