Shamir Releases Final Video “Obsession”

Today, shapeshifting Philadelphia-via-Vegas artist Shamir releases “Obsession,” the final video (animations by August Polite) ahead of Homo Anxietatem, their 9th album & debut for Kill Rock Stars out August 18. Following “The Beginning,” which was written when Shamir was 14 years old, “Obsession” was also pulled from the archives. Plucked from a vulnerable moment in their career in 2016, which was clouded by impostor syndrome and doubt, Shamir brings the song a new life and perspective. Shamir shares, “I love how this song is rooted in uncertainty and not self pity. The truth is that I didn't know myself back then, and I certainly was not ready for that level of exposure, but I knew I could be.” With an unapologetically thumping beat reminiscent of Peaches or Le Tigre, the new track follows “Oversized Sweater,” “Our Song,” “The Beginning” & surprise release “Crime” featured in HBO’s Last Call: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York.

Watch / Share: “Obsession”

Pre-Order: Homo Anxietatem

After a run of critically acclaimed heavy rock and industrial-tinged records, the non-binary artist (he/she/they) now transmutes anxiety to alternately subdued and soaring alt-pop songs, as the Latin translation of the album’s title, “anxious man,” suggests. Recorded & produced by Hoost aka Justin Tailor (Rina Sawayama), Shamir will be celebrating the album’s release on August 18 at the new Knitting Factory at Baker Falls in NYC + more US, UK and Europe shows here + below.

By shifting workflow, gaze, and attitude, Shamir has created a sincerely familiar yet instantly outstanding album in Homo Anxietatem. Meanwhile, never has this stunning music sounded so effortless. That could owe to the Philadelphia-based artist’s unshakeable work ethic. For a 28 year-old, Shamir’s amassed a huge amount of savvy, as well as a devoted following - appearing in series like Dear White People and Tuca & Bertie, publishing the book But I'm a Painter, creating his own record label Accidental Popstar Records, playing shows with Le Tigre, Courtney Barnet, Troye Sivan, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, collaborating with Rina Sawayama, Mac DeMarco and many more.

Shamir's art is a synthesis of the full spectrum of human emotion; sensual, furious, yearning, joyful and yet tethered together by a very distinct style (similarly to the greats such as Miss Nina Simone, Prince and Taylor Swift). He’s always had a way of turning the mundane into the magical. On this new album, lines that could feel tossed off in the hands of a more careless songwriter become precious morsels in the hands of Shamir – he never takes himself too seriously. Yet nothing is taken for granted; there are moments of pure joy and plenty of surprises throughout.

However, as always, there's sadness, darkness, and – in this case – an actual confrontation with the devil. “Not as sweet as I might seem,” Shamir confesses on “Crime.” “No interest in searching for meaning,” Shamir ends the appropriately titled “Calloused.” This is what happens when one of the most prolific songwriters of a generation calms down a bit: the search for meaning becomes meaningless. What happens when someone who lives a chronically unstable life finds solid ground? 

And that meeting with the devil? Perhaps the biggest surprise is album closer, “The Devil Said the Blues is All I Know.” The title should give an idea of its sound: a single take of slide guitar and voice. As the song fades out, a celebratory hoot can be heard. Maybe it’s a celebration for a great take, or maybe simply that another album is finished. Given Shamir’s breakneck working speed, it can be easy to overlook something in his oeuvre. Among a catalog of standouts, this one shines as its own. 

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For more information, please contact Shore Fire Media:

Rebecca Shapiro rshapiro@shorefire.com

Shannon Cosgrove scosgrove@shorefire.com

MC Miskell mcmiskell@shorefire.com