For Ross Flournoy, the May 31 release of Heartbreak City is not so much a literal culmination of the dramatic twists and turns that transpired over the last eight years between Apex Manor albums, but rather a celebration of the place that those events led him to.

Premiering today on American Songwriter, “Actual Size” serves as the final preview of the album before its release, a motorik-meets-shoegaze number fit for the open road. Windows down:

Here’s Flournoy on the song:

“Actual Size” feels slightly menacing to me. At its core, it’s a song about not being understood (or at least *feeling* like you’re not being understood). But the narrator here sounds untrustworthy to me—the kind of guy who thinks he’s made himself clear but hasn’t, the kind of guy filled with self-pity and unearned feelings of aggrievement.

Pre-order Heartbreak City on CD or limited-edition blood red Peak Vinyl in the Merge store, or wherever records are sold. Copies will also be available a day early at the album release show on May 30 in Los Angeles.

Apex Manor on tour:
May 30 Los Angeles, CA – Bootleg Theater
Jul 27 Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle (MRG30) [SOLD OUT]