Begone Dull Care, the remarkable new album from the duo of Jeremy Greenspan & Matthew Didemus, professionally known as Junior Boys, was released this Tuesday in the US. It will be followed later this spring by the release of the single “Hazel,” which features 3 remixes from Ewan Pearson.

“Hazel” | download

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The album’s title is a reference to a short film by the pioneering Oscar-winning Scottish-Canadian animator & electronic composer, Norman McLaren, who was a big influence on the conception and creation of this album. McLaren may not be as well-known today, but his influence has been seen by nearly anyone whose been raised on the early works of the Children’s Television Workshop. McLaren was especially fond of direct film animation (the technique of physically manipulating or painting on film frame by frame) as is the case with “Begone Dull Care” and stop-start animation (as displayed in his classic, “Neighbours”).

And that’s of course where the parallels come into focus: the meticulousness of film animation is much like the process of sequencing and programming electronic music. On Begone Dull Care, there isn’t a single sound emitted that feels out of place or like an afterthought. There is a measured restraint that’s rarely employed in modern pop music & it’s the precision & restraint in the arrangements that only serve to magnify what is there. And what is there is exceptional… from the post-industrial stomp of opener “Parallel Lines” to the soothing romanticism of “What It’s For,” which brings the album to an achingly soft close. Lead single, “Hazel” could well be described as “Sign Of The Times” re-imagined as an effervescent song of romantic yearning instead of the predecessor’s dark reflection of Reagan’s America.

Junior Boys are currently undertaking an extensive six-week tour of the Americas, which commenced on March 28th in Toronto and goes through until the 2nd week of May. Joining them on the tour will be Domino label-mate Max Tundra.

April:

09 The Warehouse Calgary, AB
11 The Biltmore Cabaret Vancouver, BC,
12 Neumos Seattle, WA
14 Doug Fir Lounge Portland, OR
16 Bimbo’s 365 Club San Francisco, CA
18 Coachella Indio, CA
19 Rhythm Room Phoenix, AZ,
22 The Bluebird Theater Denver, CO
24 Record Bar Kansas City, MO
25 Billiken Club St. Louis, MO
27 Canopy Club Urbana, IL
28 Southgate House Newport, KY
29 Skully’s Music Diner Columbus, OH
30 The Dame – Lexington, KY

May:

01 Mercy Lounge Nashville, TN
02 The Earl Atlanta, GA
03 Cat’s Cradle Carrboro, NC
05 Black Cat Washington, DC
06 1st Unitarian Church Philadelphia, PA
07 Webster Hall New York, NY
08 Middle East Downstairs – Cambridge, MA
09 Le National Montreal, QC
10 Babylon Ottawa, ON

Junior Boys | Myspace | Buy