The Jesus and Mary Chain Release “Amputation” from Their First New Album in 18 Years

Scottish indie-rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain reformed in 2007 and have been promising us (both directly and indirectly) a forthcoming album ever since. Now we’ve finally gotten a taste of Damage and Joy, which will be the group’s first record since 1998’s Munki. They’ve released “Amputation,” the album’s opening track—listen below.

In an interview with Time Out New York, vocalist Jim Reid—one half of the founding brother team—said that this record would have “a more mature sound” than the band’s previous work, and “Amputation” confirms this. It’s a far cry from their early shoegaze sound, and develops the cleaner, distinct layers they opted for later in their career, though their iconic distortion isn’t totally absent and the music still feels raw.

Damage and Joy will come out March 24, 2017, on ADA/Warner Music. Other players on the album include producer/bassist Youth, former Fountains of Wayne drummer Brian Young and former Lush bassist Phil King. The latter two musicians make up the other half of the JAMC’s touring band. Listen to “Amputation” below.