{"id":270003,"date":"2025-04-09T08:16:41","date_gmt":"2025-04-09T15:16:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/livemusicblog.com\/?p=270003"},"modified":"2025-05-16T16:18:35","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T20:18:35","slug":"deerhoof-saul-williams-under-rats-single","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/livemusicblog.com\/alternative-indie\/indie\/deerhoof-saul-williams-under-rats-single\/","title":{"rendered":"Saul Williams Joins Deerhoof on New Song \u201cUnder Rats,\u201d Final Single From New LP \u2018Noble and Godlike in Ruin\u2019 Out 4\/25 (Joyful Noise Recordings)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Two legends of the game unite at last on \u201cUnder Rats (Feat. Saul Williams)<\/a>,\u201d Deerhoof\u2019s latest electrifying\u00a0single previewing their anticipated new album,\u00a0Noble and Godlike in Ruin,\u00a0due 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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlmost 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019t help but sustain a certain faith<\/a> in humanity. On \u201cUnder Rats,\u201d that invention is still very much there, but it\u2019s 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 (\u201cMountains of zeroes\/Countless in fear-o\u201d), with Satomi Matsuzaki joining midway. But there are flickers of the old hope, both in the imagery and in the music\u2019s ceaseless invention: \u201cTell me how the trees\/Long held beliefs\/and all our dreams evolve\/being and becoming with no end.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Noble and Godlike in Ruin\u00a0is earning glowing early reviews, including raves from\u00a0WIRE, NARC. Mag\u00a0and\u00a0UNCUT\u00a0magazine. \u201cUnder Rats (Feat. Saul Williams)\u201d follows three other album singles\u2013\u201cImmigrant Songs<\/a>,\u201d and the double-B side \u201cSparrow Sparrow\u201d f\/w “Overrated Species Anyhow<\/a>\u201d\u2013that have earned praise and support from\u00a0The New York Times,\u00a0Pitchfork, Stereogum,\u00a0The A.V. Club,\u00a0Exclaim!,\u00a0Under the Radar,\u00a0Brooklyn Vegan, Post-Trash,\u00a0and more. Deerhoof will embark on a headlining 2025 tour in support of\u00a0Noble and Godlike in Ruin\u00a0on May 1st at Minneapolis\u2019 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\u00a0on-sale now<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matching the whimsical to the revolutionary, the beautiful to the horrific,\u00a0Noble and Godlike in Ruin\u00a0provides a catharsis which liberates listeners from the inhumane world we\u2019re forced to wrap our bamboozled, grief-stricken heads around. Their 20th album and follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2023 LP\u00a0Miracle-Level\u00a0was self-produced by the band and features Saul Williams on \u201cUnder Rats.\u201d Read more about it at the album bio\u00a0HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Watch “Under Rats” on YouTube:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Deerhoof - Under Rats (feat. Saul Williams) (Official Audio)<\/div><\/div>
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