Today, Unknown Mortal Orchestra shares the freshest glimpse into one of the most anticipated records of the year, Multi-Love, out May 26 on Jagjaguwar. “Can’t Keep Checking My Phone” is perhaps one of the most surprising songs on the new record (their third full-length). It features four-on-the-floor beats, handclaps, and acrobatic bass-lines, a song that could feel at home on a Georgio Moroder record, and further highlights Ruban Nielson’s refinement as a vocalist. It’s the most dance floor-ready song UMO has made to date.
Nielson had this to say of the song:
“‘Cant Keep Checking My Phone’ is about missing somebody and that point where you refuse to accept online “connectivity” as a substitute for being with someone IRL. When someone you love turns into text and ideas delivered through a device, at some point they’re competing with real things like the aurora borealis, which is another thing that only really makes sense in the flesh. I also read somewhere that the universe might be holographic, and in that case maybe the distance between us is just an illusion. So do you fall in love with the idea of someone? Or the chemicals they give off in person? Either way, I’ve got to get off my phone.”
LISTEN TO “CAN’T KEEP CHECKING MY PHONE”
Catch the band live here:
May 7 – Eugene, OR – WOW Hall
May 9 – Seattle, WA – Barboza SOLD OUT
May 10 – Spokane, WA – The Bartlett SOLD OUT
June 2 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
June 3 – Montreal, QC – Fairmount Theatre
June 4 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
June 5 – Pontiac, MI – Pike Room
June 6 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
June 8 – Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock
June 9 – Omaha, NE – Waiting Room
June 10 – St. Louis, MO – The Firebird
June 11 to 14 – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo
June 13 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
June 14 – Carboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
June 15 – Washington, DC – U Street Music Hall
June 16 – Philadelphia, PA – Boot and Saddle
June 17 – Philadelphia, PA – Boot and Saddle
June 19 – Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw
July 23 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater
July 25 – Seatlle, WA – Capitol Hill Block Party
July 26 – Vancouver, BC – Imperial July 28 – Boise, ID – Neurolux
July 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
July 31 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
Aug. 1 – Santa Fe, NM – Santa Fe Reporter Block Party
Aug. 2 – Phoenix, AZ – The Crescent Ballroom
Aug. 3 – Tucson, AZ – Club Congress
Aug. 5  – San Diego, CA – Casbah
Aug. 6  – Los Angeles, CA – The Roxy Theatre
Aug. 7 to 9 – San Francisco, CA – Outside Lands