In early December, Texan post-hardcore icons At The Drive In unleashed their first taste of new music in 16 years. The searing ‘Governed by Contagions’ was the band’s first offering since their 2000 LP Relationship of Command. 

Today, we’ve been treated to official details of what will be their first album in 17 years and the follow-up single, ‘Incurably Innocent’.

The track’s lyrics, penned by frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala, include: “He keeps hiding your photograph / of the moment that you needed to emasculate his.”

In an official statement, Bixler-Zavala said it’s “a song about sexual abuse and being able to finally speak out”.

YouTube VideoPlay

Both ‘Incurably Innocent’ and ‘Governed by Contagions’ will feature on the 11-track, 41-minute in • ter a • li • a (Latin for “Among other things”), which is out May 5 on Rise Records/Cooking Vinyl Australia.

in • ter a • li • a was produced by guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Rich Costey (Muse, Foo Fighters, The Mars Volta) at Hollywood’s Sound Factory.

The album may be the first long-player we’ve had from At The Drive In 17 years, but it’s been expected for some time. The band got together for a reunion tour last March, but it got off to a rocky start with guitarist Jim Ward (Sparta) announcing his departure from the band just a few days before.

The current lineup of Cedric Bixler-Zavala, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Paul Hinojos, Tony Hajjar and Keeley Davis kick off their next North American tour on March 17 in New Orleans. A full list of dates is available at their official site.

in • ter a • li • a TRACKLISTING:
01. No Wolf Like The Present
02. Continuum
03. Tilting At The Univendor
04. Governed By Contagions
05. Pendulum In A Peasant Dress
06. Incurably Innocent
07. Call Broken Arrow
08. Holtzclaw
09. Torrentially Cutshaw
10. Ghost-Tape No.9
11. Hostage Stamps

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine