Besides being the name of a largely forgotten (and panned) 90s film, Cool World (The Flenser)  makes for an apt title of Chat Pile’s sophomore full-length record, which is set to be released on October 11, 2024. In the context of a Chat Pile record, the words are steeped in a grim double entendre that not only evokes imagery of a dying planet but a progression from the band’s previous work, moving the scope of its depiction of modern malaise from just “God’s Country” to the entirety of humankind. “’Cool World’ covers similar themes to our last album, except now exploded from a micro to macro scale, with thoughts specifically about disasters abroad, at home, and how they affect one another,” says vocalist Raygun Busch.  “If I had to describe the album in one sentence,” Busch continues, “It’s hard not to borrow from Voltaire, so I won’t resist – ‘Cool World’ is about the price at which we eat sugar in America.”

The Oklahoma City noise rock quartet will release Cool World October 11th via The Flenser [pre-order]. Today, the Oklahoma City noise rock quartet premiered the album’s second single “Masc” with an epic, narrative music video by Stephen Mondics (director) and Mario DeLeon (producer).  Bassist Stin comments, “This is our first time collaborating with Stephen Mondics and the band is completely blown away with how well he was able to capture the spirit of the song. As huge movie buffs, it’s also a legitimate dream come true to have a music video shot completely on film under our belts.” 

Busch adds, “‘Masc’ is the saddest Chat Pile song since ‘Tenkiller.’ Unlike the rest of the album, this song deals with horrors of interpersonal intimacy, yet it is connected with the rest of the record through the overarching theme of oppression, despair and malaise.“