Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds has unveiled “Long Dark Night,” the third single from the band’s 18th studio album Wild God (Play It Again Sam), set for release August 30, 2024. This intimate twilight ballad is inspired by the poem “Dark Night of the Soul” by the Spanish 16th-century poet St. John of the Cross. Through its reflective lyrics, the track evokes the poem’s themes of struggle and transcendence.

Of the track, Cave says “Long Dark Night is inspired by one of the greatest and most powerful poems of conversion ever written. Ultimately, though, it’s a beautiful country tune. It feels like a sweet companion to the song, Wild God.”

Across ten tracks on Wild God, the band dances between convention and experimentation, taking left turns and detours that heighten the rich imagery and emotion in Cave’s soul-stirring narratives. It is the sound of a group emboldened by reconnection and taking flight. Some moments touch fondly upon the Bad Seeds’ past but are fleeting, and serve only to imbue the band’s relentless and restless forward motion.

Produced by Cave and Warren Ellis, and mixed by David Fridmann, Cave began writing the album on New Year’s Day 2023. With sessions at Miraval Studios in Provence, France and Soundtree Studios in London, England, the Bad Seeds added their unique alchemy, with additional performances from Colin Greenwood (bass) and Luis Almau (nylon string guitar, acoustic guitar).