Canadian post-punk quartet Preoccupations release the third single and title track from their upcoming 5th LP, Ill at Ease (Born Losers Records), out everywhere May 9, 2025. Their tour in support of the record kicks off next month in Montreal. 

An introspective track clocking in at five and a half minutes, “Ill At Ease” is a stunning track that explores our anxieties and uneasiness. Kicking off with a stuttering drum beat juxtaposed with a beautifully bright guitar, the single progresses with frontman Matt Flegel condemning himself for not standing for what he believes in and allowing fear to take over. Following these musings and backed by the same captivating guitar, he delivers the standout line, “All the things I love are things that kill me.” The music video is a compilation of retro physiology graphics and diagrams, providing a fitting and captivating visual accompaniment. 

“I was trying to convey the feeling of waking up, but not being able to shake the uncomfortable suspicion that you might still be dreaming,” shares Flegel. “It’s also about making amends with the fact that you might never feel comfortable in your own skin, and finding solace in the fact that some things can’t be changed.”

PREOCCUPATIONS TOUR DATES

05/11/25 – Birmingham, UK – Hare & Hound

05/13/25 – London, UK – The Garage

05/14/25 – Bristol, UK – Strange Brew

05/16/25 – Manchester, UK – YES

05/15/25 – Brighton, UK – The Hope & Ruin

05/17/25 – Leeds, UK – Brudenell Social Club

05/18/25 – Glasgow, UK – Room 2

05/22/25 Montréal, QC – Bar Le Ritz PDB

05/23/25 Ottawa, ON – The 27 Club

05/24/25 Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace

05/27/25 Detroit, MI – Lager House

05/31/25 Chicago, IL – The Empty Bottle

06/01/25 Minneapolis, – MN 7th St Entry

06/04/25 Calgary, AB – Commonwealth

06/06/25 Vancouver, BC – Wise Hall

06/07/25 Seattle, WA – Madame Lou’s

06/08/25 Portland, OR – Polaris Hall

06/10/25 San Francisco, CA – Rickshaw Stop

06/12/25 Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room

06/13/25 San Diego, CA – Casbah

06/17/25 Austin, TX – Parish

06/18/25 Denton, TX – Rubber Gloves

06/20/25 Nashville, TN – The Blue Room-Third Man Records

06/21/25 Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade(Purgatory)

06/22/25 Raleigh, NC – Kings

06/24/25 Washington, DC – Songbyrd Record Cafe

06/25/25 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s

06/27/25 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom

06/29/25 Cambridge, MA – Middle East Upstairs

09/14/25 Amsterdam, NL – Tolhuistuin

09/15/25 Lille, FR – L’Aeroneff

09/16/25 Le Havre, FR – Le Tetris

09/17/25 Paris, FR – Petit Bain

09/18/25 Antwerp, BE – TRIX

09/19/25 Nijmegen, NL -Doornroosje

09/21 Rotterdam, NL – Rotown

09/23/25 Cologne, DE – Blue Shell

09/24/25 Hamburg, DE – Hafenklang

09/25/25 Berlin, DE – Neue Zukunft

09/26 Prague, CZ – Palác Akropolis

09/27/25 Munich, DE – Strom

09/28/25 Vienna, AT – B72

09/30/25 Sofia, BG – Stroeja

10/01/25 – Athens, GR – AUX

10/02/25 – Bucharest, ROM – Control Club

10/04/25 – Bratislava Nova, SK – Cvernovka 

10/07/25 –  Roma, IT – MONK

10/08/25 – Turin, IT – sPAZIO211 

10/09/25 – Bologna, IT – Locomotiv Club