Saul Williams Joins Deerhoof on New Song “Under Rats,” Final Single From New LP ‘Noble and Godlike in Ruin’ Out 4/25 (Joyful Noise Recordings)

Two legends of the game unite at last on “Under Rats (Feat. Saul Williams),” Deerhoof’s latest electrifying single previewing their anticipated new album, Noble and Godlike in Ruin, due out on April 25th (Joyful Noise Recordings). Drummer Greg Saunier took to Deerhoof’s Instagram on Monday to describe the collaboration and the esteem in which the band holds Saul Williams:

“Almost as bad as the crimes of the ruling class are the crimes that enable them: tricking everyone into thinking that no one else cares. There were so many times when we were making our new record when we became almost overwhelmed with doubt: “What’s the point of music when genocide is standard fare and the murderers are the most rewarded people in society?” Saul Williams was and is someone we look to. Who’s doing it like Saul? He’s been there every day with poetry, with grief, with news that oligarch-owned media doesn’t touch for months. Making us all feel less alone. We express ourselves in order to find our chosen family.

I met Saul at a tiny music festival in Switzerland. I was performing a duo with Marc Ribot, and Saul was performing with a string quartet. When it was over Saul, Marc and I talked American politics backstage for hours, and I immediately felt I’d become acquainted with someone I would respect for a lifetime. I’ve been grateful ever since.”  

Deerhoof often use their collective virtuosity to summon feelings of joyous exuberance; even if the subject matter is dark, the invention in the music can’t help but sustain a certain faith in humanity. On “Under Rats,” that invention is still very much there, but it’s expressing paranoia, claustrophobia, and anxiety. All the instruments are tightly packed, writhing against each other, then suddenly cohering into something strangely upbeat, though the soundscape remains doomy. The critically acclaimed poet/rapper/singer/polymath Williams handles most of the vocals, his rapid-fire lines filled with scenes of internet-age bleakness (“Mountains of zeroes/Countless in fear-o”), with Satomi Matsuzaki joining midway. But there are flickers of the old hope, both in the imagery and in the music’s ceaseless invention: “Tell me how the trees/Long held beliefs/and all our dreams evolve/being and becoming with no end.”

Noble and Godlike in Ruin is earning glowing early reviews, including raves from WIRE, NARC. Mag and UNCUT magazine. “Under Rats (Feat. Saul Williams)” follows three other album singles–“Immigrant Songs,” and the double-B side “Sparrow Sparrow” f/w “Overrated Species Anyhow”–that have earned praise and support from The New York Times, Pitchfork, Stereogum, The A.V. Club, Exclaim!, Under the Radar, Brooklyn Vegan, Post-Trash, and more. Deerhoof will embark on a headlining 2025 tour in support of Noble and Godlike in Ruin on May 1st at Minneapolis’ The Walker Arts Center. The spring & summer trek will also see them heading overseas for U.K. and European shows beginning July 23rd. A full itinerary is below and all tickets are on-sale now. 

Matching the whimsical to the revolutionary, the beautiful to the horrific, Noble and Godlike in Ruin provides a catharsis which liberates listeners from the inhumane world we’re forced to wrap our bamboozled, grief-stricken heads around. Their 20th album and follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2023 LP Miracle-Level was self-produced by the band and features Saul Williams on “Under Rats.” Read more about it at the album bio HERE.

Watch “Under Rats” on YouTube:

Deerhoof 2025 Tour Dates:

5/01 – Minneapolis, MN – The Walker Arts Center

5/02 – Denver, CO – the Bluebird

5/03 – Portland, OR – Rev Hall

5/04 – Seattle, WA – Neumo’s

5/08 – San Francisco, CA – The Rickshaw Stop

5/09 – San Francisco, CA – The Rickshaw Stop

5/10 – Los Angeles, CA – The Lodge Room

6/16 – Washington, D.C. – Union Stage

6/17 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts 

6/18 – Pittsburgh, PA – Spirit 

6/20 – Indianapolis, IN – Healer

6/21 – Grand Rapids, MI – Pyramid Scheme

6/22 – Toronto, ON – St. Anne’s Lower Hall

6/23 – Toronto, ON – St. Anne’s Lower Hall

6/25 – Somerville, MA – Crystal Ballroom 

6/26 – Hamden, CT – Space Ballroom

6/27 – Amherst, MA – The Drake 

6/28 – Brooklyn, NY – Pioneer Works

7/22 – Bristol, UK – Strange Brew 

7/24 – Birmingham, UK – Castle and Falcon 

7/25 – Edinburgh, UK – The Caves  

7/26 – Leeds, UK – Brudenell Social Club 

7/27 – Manchester, UK – YES (The Pink Room) 

7/28 – London, UK – Bush Hall 

7/29 – London, UK – Bush Hall

7/30 – Margate, UK – Lido 

8/01 – Genk, BE – Absolutely Free Festival 

8/03 – Trondheim, NO – Kafe Skuret 

8/05 – Oslo, NO – Goldie

8/06 – Stockholm, SE – Slaktkyrkan 

8/07 – Copenhagen, DE – VEGA 

8/08 – Faabord, DE – Avernax Festival 

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