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Small Black Build a Bouncy Synth Castle on ‘No One Wants It To Happen to You’

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Sunny-eyed Brooklyn synth-pop act Small Black are back with a new album, Best Blues (out October 16 via Jagjaguwar). We’ve already heard “Boys Life,” a cleanly bopping jaunt that highlights singer Josh Kolenik’s warming, spreading depth of range — now they’ve released “No One Wants It To Happen To You,” the album’s more guitar-heavy second listen. Warped synths bob and dip in the background, while a simple Joy Division-reminiscent riff thrums throughout. Listen here, and find the band’s upcoming tour dates below.

Of the song, Kolenik says, “‘No One Wants It To Happen To You’ was meant as a mantra. Something an older, wiser friend told you once that you might cling to in order to get through a terrible situation. The phrase you keep folded up in your pocket, letting you know better will surely come. Simple and plain spoken, it’s about separating yourself from yourself and taking a second to stand and gape at the bottom, knowing that you might be there for awhile, but that it is a place from which you can rise…”

Small Black tour dates:
October 11 – Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter *
October 13 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl *
October 14 – New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa *
October 16 – Austin, TX @ Red 7 *
October 17 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada *
October 18 – San Antonio, TX @ 502 Bar *
October 20 – Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar *
October 21 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah
October 23 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy Theatre
October 24 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
October 26 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge *
October 27 – Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret *
October 28 – Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile – Back Bar *
October 29 – Boise, ID @ Neurolux *
October 30 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge *
October 31 – Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge *
November 2 – Kansas City, MO @ The Tank Room *
November 3 – Iowa City, IA @ The Mill *
November 4 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St Entry *
November 6 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall *
November 7 – Detroit, MI @ UFO Factory *
November 8 – Toronto, ON @ The Garrison *
November 10 – Montreal, QC @ La Sala Rossa *
November 11 – Burlington, TV @ Signal Kitchen *
November 12 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall *
November 21 – Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right *

* w/ Painted Palms