For months now, The Most Lamentable Tragedy [hereafter TMLT], the forthcoming fourth studio LP by the rock band Titus Andronicus [as in TitusAndronicus.net / as in @TitusAndronicus on Twitter / as in @Titus_ndronicus on Instagram / as in titus-andronicus-llc on Tumblr, but hereafter simply +@] has been the object of rampant speculation.

“The whole purpose of this [TMLT] campaign is working towards the end of silence,” spoke Patrick Stickles, seeming more emboldened than ever, if disheveled and sweaty as he boxed up seven-inch after endless seven-inch from his home office. “My pet issue may be the destigmatization of so-called ‘mental illness,’ but people everywhere are demanding that the unpleasant realities of life beneath the System’s Boot be made matters of public discourse. No more can we sweep such things under the rug, not when we have powers to communicate like never before. With our silence, we have given the greatest gift to our oppressors—no more! No more silence, nor secrets, nor shame! Leave naught unspoken! Validation and empathy everywhere—it is the will of the people!”

In this spirit of transparency, beginning today, +@’s TMLT, in all of its 93-minute majesty, is available to be streamed for free on NPR.com—“Made Possible By the Support of Viewers Like You.” In the week leading up to the record’s official physical release, we invite you to leisurely wander the audio world we have carefully constructed for yr use. There is no obligation to buy, only the hope that you may freely enjoy. 

Many have already rushed to praise TMLT as a landmark achievement in rock unseen for a generation. Those who have dared to defy its ascent have mostly been annihilated—the survivors have learned to listen more and speak less.

Amidst all this rabble, TMLT itself remains something of a mystery. “Even to me!” interrupted Patrick Stickles, +@ singer-songwriter / “The Magic Morning” writer-director / co-author of Weezer’s 2014 smash hit “Foolish Father,” once again transparently desperate for the same external validation for which he preaches such rancorous disdain.

Today, the fog of confusion is lifted, even from off the head of the “intense, deeply troubled young Artist” [–Stereogum.com ], and now #TheTruthAboutTMLT may finally begin to reveal itself.

Feel no obligation to swallow the whole thing in one gulp, even if that would be the Artist’s selfish preference. If you are intimidated by the sprawl and scope of +@’s magnum opus, remember that the record is divided into five “acts” and consider that maybe one “act” a day is enough of a +@-rich diet to start off on. Alternately, the double compact disc version divides the opera into two halves—why not stream tracks one through thirteen today, and save the rest for tomorrow? My point: there is no wrong way to take #TMLT as long as it is into yr heart.

That said, the Artist requests you close all other tabs, as well as physical doors and windows. Draw any shades or blinds, and, if you do not have a physical copy of the lyrics to read, close yr eyes, blindfolding them if necessary. If you need to have another tab open, Genius.com has the complete lyrics to TMLT as well as key annotations from the Artist himself. 

Trust +@ now. Things may get scary, but nothing can hurt you—it’s only a story. #TMLT is here. 

+@

TITUSANDRONICUS.NET

See Titus Andronicus on tour and pre-order TMLT on 2-CD and 3-LP (with t-shirt bundle option) in the Merge store, or digitally via iTunes.