Polyphonic Spree Announce Surprise Album Out Friday, And Fall Full-Length

The Polyphonic Spree Announce Surprise Covers Album ‘Afflatus,’ Out This Friday (4/16), And New, Full-Length Original Album, Out This Fall ‘Afflatus’ is The Polyphonic Spree’s first album in seven years, featuring covers of INXS, Daniel Johnston, Rush, Barry Manilow, The Rolling Stones, ABBA, and more Pre-order a limited, glow-in-the-dark vinyl edition of ‘Afflatus’ HERE

The Polyphonic Spree are treating fans with a surprise album of cover songs titled ‘Afflatus,’ out everywhere this Friday (4/16). Their first full-length album since 2014’s ‘Psychphonic,’ ‘Afflatus’ was recorded live in one evening at the band’s home studio, just before the 2020 lockdown, and features covers of INXS, Daniel Johnston, Rush, Barry Manilow, The Rolling Stones, ABBA, and more. Having just celebrated their 20th anniversary as a band, The Polyphonic Spree are currently at work on a new full-length album of original material, slated for release this fall.   “It was inevitable that the Spree would end up doing this,” said frontman Tim DeLaughter. “We were asked to play a covers show at The Kessler Theater in Dallas and were ready to go, but with the shutdowns starting to happen around the country, we made the last-minute call not to perform. We had all been together for weeks rehearsing, so we decided to get the band together at our home studio and record the entire show live in one take, just to capture it. We knew it was probably going to be the last time we saw each other for a long time, and the next day, everything started to close.”

Featuring a range of material from a diverse group of artists that all hold a special significance to the band, the track list includes songs like “She’s A Rainbow” by The Rolling Stones - a staple of The Polyphonic Spree’s live set for years – as well as songs that fans have never heard before like “Could It Be Magic” by Barry Manilow, which holds a special significance to DeLaughter. “A lot of the music I’m attracted to, melodically speaking, can be traced back to my younger years,” he explains. “I was running my dad’s business on the weekends as a kid, and there was this cassette of Barry Manilow songs that I played over and over. I loved the grandiose, high-reaching production for essentially a pop song.”   'Afflatus' opens with “Don’t Change” by INXS, which the band first performed on their 2010 tour of Australia. “We wanted to pay homage to one of their country’s great artists,” DeLaughter adds, “but it’s also just an awesome song. I love its forward moving, almost gliding feel.” The Polyphonic Spree’s upcoming, full-length album will be their first release of original material since 2013’s ‘Yes, It’s True.’ Stay tuned for additional updates.

‘Afflatus’ by The Polyphonic Spree – Out 4/16 1. Don’t Change (INXS) 2. You Put My Love Out The Door (Daniel Johnston) 3. She’s A Rainbow (The Rolling Stones) 4. Run To Me (Bee Gees) 5. The Porpoise Song (The Monkees) 6. Could It Be Magic (Barry Manilow) 7. The Visitors (ABBA) 8. Let Em In (Wings) 9. Never My Love (The Association) 10. The Spirit of Radio (Rush)

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