More about: Alt-J

alt-J have released a sensationally moving new single titled 'Get Better'. It's a six-minute slice of their forthcoming new album The Dream, which will drop in February.

'Get Better' is unusual for alt-J: it's a largely acoustic affair and its subject matter is crystal clear. The song deals with bereavement, and dwells in particular on losing someone to Covid-19. 

A matching pixellated video is all the extra you need to make this release one of the most devastating in recent memory.

"I felt a nervous heat when writing ‘Get Better’," vocalist Joe Newman said. "The context of the Coronavirus pandemic lent my words a chilling weight and gave me a new sense of responsibility as a lyricist. Whilst the direct events described are fictional, I believe - or I hope - that it's emotionally the most honest song I've written."

Bandmate Gus Unger-Hamilton said: "when Joe first played it to me I didn’t just get a bit tearful, I broke down. A big, big cry. A cry of the year."

It's been four years since alt-J released their most recent album Relaxer and nearly ten years since their smash debut An Awesome Wave.

See alt-J on tour:

FEBURARY

25 - Pittsburgh, Petersen Event Center
26 - Washington DC, The Anthem

MARCH

01 - Nashville, Nashville Municipal Auditorium
02 - Atlanta, State Farm Arena
04 - Tampa, Yengling Center
05 - Hollywood FL, Hard Rock Live
06 - Orlando, Orlando Amphitheater
09 - Dallas, The Factory in Deep Ellum
12 - Austin, Germania Insurance Amphitheater
13 - Houston, White Oak Music Hall
15 - St Louis, Chaifetz Arena
16 - Detroiy, Masonic Temple Detroiy
19 - Chicago, Credit Union 1 Arena
20 - Minnepaolis, The Armory
23 - Denver, 1STBANK Center
25 - San Diego, Pechanga Arena San Diego
26 - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Bowl
27 - Los Angeles, Staples Center
29 - Seattle, Wamu Theater
30 - Vancouver, Pacific Coliseum

APRIL

01 - San Francisco, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
03 - Las Vegas, The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
05 - Salt Lake City, UCCU Center
07 - Kansas City, Cable Dahmer Arena
08 - Cincinnati, PromoWest Pavillion at Ovation
09 - Columbus, Schottenstein Center
11 - New York, Madison Square Garden
13 - Philadelphia, TC Pavilion at The Mann
14 - Boston, Agganis Arena
15 - Montreal, Place Bell
17 - Toronto, Coca-Cola Coliseum

MAY

07 - Glasgow, Barrowland Ballroom
09 - Leeds, O2 Academy
13 - Manchester, O2 Apollo
18 - London, O2 Academy Brixton
22 - Dublin, Olympia Theatre
25 - Belfast, The Telegraph Building
27 - Birmingham, O2 Academy

The Dream arrives 11 February via Infectious/BMG. 

More about: Alt-J