The Clientele — the cherished UK outfit composed of vocalist/lyricist/guitarist Alasdair MacLean, bassist James Hornsey, and drummer Mark Keen — presents “Dying in May,” the new single from their forthcoming album, I Am Not There Anymore, out July 28. On “Dying in May,” Keen’s live drums weave around programmed drum and bass samples, creating something polyrhythmic and avant-garde. Following the serene lead single “Blue Over Blue,” “Dying in May” elucidates the range of genres The Clientele explore on I Am Not There Anymore, a 19-track journey that extends from light bossa nova beats to the band’s classic chamber pop. Pre-order I Am Not There Anymore on CD, 2-LP, and black in opaque red Peak Vinyl 2LP from the Merge store, and stream “Dying in May” anywhere you listen to music!

Of the track, MacLean says: “I think 'Dying in May' is the first Clientele song with no guitar. It also has no chords, as such — it’s a drone, with french horn, cello and Mellotron. So the rhythm does a lot of the work — the drums and percussion are in 9/8, but the singing and instruments are in 4/4, so as each bar goes past, there’s a slightly different rhythmic emphasis. This was a complete accident, but I loved it when I heard it — the patterns are a bit disorientating, but there’s a pulse that goes through it. I almost feel I could dance to this, but not quite. It’s based on an Arabic flamenco rhythm.

“The words are all fragmented too — simple images repeating, like someone in a high fever. I took some inspiration from cante jondo, Spanish flamenco — there tend to be two or three very focused, repetitive images in the words. There was no way in hell I could play guitar along with these rhythms, so I scored out a simple melody which would leave space for the drums, and be something the bass could latch on to. By the end, the words go over and over, like someone beside themselves with grief. Hence the title. It’s a harrowing subject, but I think it’s presented with love — the song hopefully opens it out and lets some air in. It feels like an exorcism for me.”

This August, The Clientele will embark on a U.S. tour, featuring stops at Bowery Ballroom in New York City,  Lodge Room in Los Angeles, Lincoln Hall in Chicago, and more. All dates are listed below and tickets are on sale now.

The Clientele on tour:
Jul 28 London, UK – Rough Trade East
Aug 09 Somerville, MA – Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre
Aug 10 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
Aug 11 Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts
Aug 12 Washington, DC – Songbyrd
Aug 13 Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall
Aug 15 Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
Aug 17 Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room
Aug 18 Pioneertown, CA – Pappy and Harriet's 
Aug 19 Big Sur, CA – Fernwood Tavern (inside)
Aug 20 San Francisco, CA – The Chapel
Aug 22 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
Aug 23 Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern