LISTEN: Arcade Fire Release Single "The Suburbs" on 12"

As the anticipation heightens, the Arcade Fire have done their usual job building up to a monstrous new release (quality completely aside, people eat this stuff up). I don't know if anyone remembers the wacko graphics that went along with Funeral on the band's website...or the painfully slow release of Neon Bible.

Released on 12", you can now enjoy: The Suburbs b/w Month of May here. Again, for all us who go for aesthetics, the graphics here with the whole record and flipping it and playing it, woo, I must be easily impressed.

Now, in regards to the single, this release predates the forthcoming album of the same name, The Suburbs, which will rapidly climb it's way to the top of the "OMG, LIKE, SWEET NEW INDIE RECORD" list*. All joking aside, this is what I love to see from a seasoned outfit. "The Suburbs" builds on lots of previous Arcade Fire sounds, keeping us steadily moving, while Win guides the ears through operatic backup vocals and ominous strings.

What makes this such a great throwback 12", is that "Month of May" is a kickass b-side. It's been so long since b-sides were something that mattered outside of a music nerd's waxings about collectibles, we should rejoice that Arcade Fire is really throwing some recognition vinyl's way. Beyond that, "Month of May" is a great Punk song, not something that I personally would've expected from these particular Montreal natives. Dave Grohl, eat your heart out.

Via Pitchfork and Merge Records, we now know that the Arcade Fire will hit North America this summer (and Europe too), with a smattering of shows to be opened by Austin rockers Spoon.

Look for The Suburbs August 3 in the US, and the day before in the UK/Europe.

*Mixtape Muse does not monitor, own, or know of this list. Wouldn't it be sweet though? High five, Bro!

Arcade Fire:

06-07 Sherbrooke, Quebec - Granada Theatre
06-08 Sherbrooke, Quebec - Granada Theatre
06-28 Helsinki, Finland - The Senate Square
06-30 Rättvik, Sweden - Dalhalla
07-02 Arendal, Norway - Hove Festival
07-04 Werchter, Belgium - Rock Werchter Festival
07-09 Naas, Ireland - Oxegen Festival
07-12 Quebec City, Quebec - Quebec City Summer Festival
07-13 Ottawa, Ontario - Ottawa Blues Fest
07-31 Montreal, Quebec - Osheaga Festival
08-01 Boston, MA - Bank of America Pavilion
08-02 Philadelphia, PA - The Mann Center *
08-04 New York, NY - Madison Square Garden *
08-06 Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion *
08-08 Chicago, IL - Lollapalooza
08-09 Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
08-11 Atlanta, GA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre *
08-14 Toronto, Ontario - Olympic Island
08-27 Leeds, England - Leeds Festival
08-28 Reading, England - Reading Festival
08-29 Saint Cloud, France - Rock En Seine
08-31 Berlin, Germany - Tempodrom
09-02 Bologna, Italy - I-Day Festival

* with Spoon