Last month, psych-smiths the Claypool Lennon Delirium — a union between Primus’ Les Claypool and Sean Lennon — delivered a wobbly lil’ jam called “WAP (What a Predicament)” to celebrate the announcement of an impending tour. Now, the partnership have confirmed that they’re also going drop their first album in seven years this spring, which they’ve given the exquisite title of The Great Parrot-Ox and the Golden Egg of Empathy.
A press release explains that the band’s third album together, which follows 2019’s South of Reality, is being presented as a “14-song concept record reflecting on morality, mortality, and the warnings of A.I.”
“The Great Parrot-Ox and the Golden Egg of Empathy is a cautionary tale of what could be in store for humanity if we continue to favor machines over men,” Lennon explained in a statement. “It is a tale of a technocracy eclipsed by paperclips; a young man destined to unravel the fabric of his father’s folly, and a sacred feathered Goddess, who holds the egg-shaped key to their future.”
We’d gotten a sense of this last month when the pair told us that “WAP” was a “warped meditation” on tech safety. Newly unveiled single “The Golden Egg of Empathy” — which features vocals from pop, rock and R&B-experimenter WILLOW — is a slap-forward funk song that further needles into the theme (“All this technology you hold in your hand / Is insignificant devoid of love”).
Directed by Rich Ragsdale and featuring rubber-hose-style animations from Rob Yulfo, a music video for “The Golden Egg of Empathy” finds Lennon and Claypool making their way through a world filled with sentient Apple II’s. Later, they connect with the feathered Goddess to hit their tune. You can peep the visuals up above.
The Great Parrot-Ox and the Golden Egg of Empathy is out May 1 through ATO records, and comes packaged with a comic book illustrated by Ragsdale. A pre-order for a double-LP on exclusive “Yellow Jacket” vinyl (limited to 500 copies)is available in Revolver’s shop, where you can likewise find other vinyl variants and CD copies of the release.
As previously reported, Claypool is launching his “Claypool Gold” tour featuring performances from the Delirium, Primus and his Fearless Flying Frog Brigade in May.
The Great Parrot-Ox and the Golden Egg of Empathy tracklisting:
Pro-Log
WAP (What a Predicament)
The Wake Up Call
Meat Machines
Troll Bait
Simplest of Deeds
Heart of Chrome
Through the Horizon
Mantra of the Manatee
The Golden Egg of Empathy (feat. WILLOW)
Cliptopia
Cliptron Scuttle
Melody of Entropy
It’s a Wrap