Kishi Bashi has unveiled his latest single, “Icarus IV,” a track from his forthcoming album Kantos, set to release on August 23rd via Joyful Noise Recordings. The song launches with an intense beginning, seamlessly transitioning into an 80’s synth wave vibe, complete with nostalgic synths, engaging chord progressions, and a prog rock feel that evokes memories of classic 80s soundtracks.
Inspired by Madeline Miller’s novel Circe and Kishi Bashi’s own journey to Crete, “Icarus IV” draws from the myth of Icarus and Daedalus. The accompanying music video, premiered on FLOOD Magazine, takes cues from 16-bit side-scrolling adventure games. Written and directed by Kishi Bashi, the video features pixel art animations by Kalengo Phiri and AlonelySpirit, presenting an alternate tale of Icarus set in a fantastical, psycho-Greek world.
Kishi Bashi explains, “This song always spoke to me visually of an epic journey. With my love of animation and video games, I decided to spin an alternate tale of Icarus, set in a fantastical psycho-Greek world where it heralds the trials of the return of the prodigal son, Icarus, who has come back after abandoning his band to seek fame and fortune in a solo project. While the story may or may not be autobiographical, the feelings may be relatable to those who have left and those who have been left behind.”
Following the expressive, prog-tinged lead single “Colorful State,” “Icarus IV” continues to build anticipation for Kantos. The album is described as a duality of unsettling themes and joyful sounds, diverging from the symphonic folk of his 2019 album Omoiyari. Instead, it incorporates Brazilian jazz, 70’s funk, orchestral rock, and city pop, reflecting inspirations from sci-fi literature and Enlightenment philosophy.
Kantos will be supported by an extensive fall tour across North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom. Pre-orders for the album are available now. The self-produced album features collaborations with Drew Vandenberg and British musicians Sweet Loretta, with additional guest performances by Zorina Andall, Augie Bello, and Linqua Franqa. As Kishi Bashi puts it, “Even with so much technological advancement, songs are still something we very much rely on to connect with other people.”