Yard Act have shared “Petroleum,” the latest single from their upcoming album Where’s My Utopia?.
“Petroleum” is a dose of funk-inspired post-punk that gradually builds into a shimmering breakdown, as vocalist James Smith pores over the pros and cons of following your dreams: “My bones burn/ And the brain that’s controlling them/ Knows that the soul needs petroleum/ That’s how it goes.
“I lost it with the crowd in Bognor Regis and told them I was bored and I didn’t want to be there,” Smith says of the backstory to the track. “Me and Ryan [Needham] had a row after, and Ryan rightly dressed me down for the way I acted. It got me pondering the idea that, now this is a job, what are the requirements of it? People think they want honesty but they don’t, they want me to portray the version of honesty that they’ve paid to see and that’s part of the illusion.”
The vibrant, James Slater-directed video for “Petroleum” stars the band alongside comedian Rose Matafeo. Watch it below.
Where’s My Utopia? is out March 1st via Republic, and Yard Act have teased it with the single “Dream Job.” They’ve also announced a bunch of 2024 tour dates to support the album; find your tickets to the North American shows here, and for all international dates, find tickets here.
