New Arkells album coming this summer

Arkells fans, rejoice a new album is heading your way soon.

The band has released this summery, slow-burning tune called Never Thought That This Would Happen, just in time for warm spring nights. Its your first peak at new material for an as-yet-untitled followup to 2011s Michigan Left, slated for release this summer.

Like a lot of Arkells songs, it was written with getting people moving in mind, frontman Max Kerman told CBC Hamilton. Theres something about people swaying in the grass in the earlier part of the day at a festival, he said.

Theres just something majestic about that mid-tempo jam.

Its not the albums first single, as its a little too unwieldy for that, says guitarist Mike DeAngelis. We really liked the song, but its probably a little too long for the radio, DeAngelis said. But the reactions been great so far. A proper radio single called Come to Light should be out soon.

Never Thought That This Would Happen is also the bands first time using live strings on a track, scored by bassist Anthony Carone. Canadian rock stalwart Matthew Good sure liked it:

Arkells tracked 13 songs for the new record while in a studio in Los Angeles, but the band hasnt yet decided how many will make the official cut. The album has a Dire Straits/Bruce Springsteen feel to it, Kerman says, but with modern, upbeat sensibilities.

Lyrically, its a little more outspoken, Kerman said. In a way, its a little more unfiltered, DeAngelis agreed. A heavier influence can also be heard creeping around these songs, courtesy the bands rhythm section.

But fans neednt worry even for a band that is hyper-sensitive about repeating itself, its still the same five guys, and still an Arkells record at its core, Kerman says.

Were just not interested in being a flimsy little indie rock band. Were into the power of rock and roll.

Here's a message for Hamilton, straight from Kerman and DeAngelis themselves: