UK-based duo JOHN announced a new album ‘A Life Diagrammatic’ out September 22th via Brace Yourself and Pets Care Records.

‘Service Stationed’ is the second single taken from the upcoming record. The project of John Newton (drums, lead vocals) and Johnny Healey (guitar, backing vocals) worked on the follow-up to 2021’s ‘Nocturnal Manoeuvres’.

The latest single, ‘Service Stationed’ features guest vocals from Leona Farrugia of the ever-rising Anglo-Maltese quartet ĠENN – a propulsive example of JOHN at the peak of their powers, building an inescapable atmospheric presence from undulating guitar riffs, pounding drums and Newton’s distinct guttural bark, all packaged in a neat three-minute, shining exterior.

Recorded by Tom Hill at The Bookhouse in South London, mixed by Seth Manchester (METZ, Big Brave, Battles) and mastered by Frank Arkwright (Arab Strap, Squarepusher, Autechre) with the aim of merging the powerful live presence of the band whilst also honing in on some of the more varied dynamics at play. “We wanted to further explore the space and ambience of our instrumentation,” says Newton. “To offer an album that deliberately pushes and pulls in a multitude of directions throughout its duration.”

The duo teased the album in April with single ‘Trauma Mosaic,’ another pristine example of the band’s subtle evolution in recent years as they continue to redefine and expand the parameters of what a guitar and drums two-piece can be. Driven forward by a crushed drum sample that began as a playful experiment, it finds Newton layering his vocals in an almost chant-like manner before cyclical guitars erupt in classic JOHN fashion and we’re reminded of the primal power the pair possess.

Pre-order the album here!

Headline photo: Paul Grace

JOHN