@ Shares New Single 'Bird' and Announces Tour
The Philadelphia psych-folk duo @ has released a new song called "Bird" from their upcoming album Autosmile, due October 16 via 4AD. The track was inspired by dead baby birds and comes with a video directed by Caity Arthur. They also revealed tour dates for late 2026 and early 2027, including opening slots for YHWH Nailgun and This Is Lorelei before headlining shows.
The duo's upcoming album Autosmile marks their first full-length since 2023's Mind Palace Music, with three tracks unveiled ahead of the October release. "Bird" originated from an unusual source of inspiration—recurring sightings of dead baby birds on the songwriter's deck—and was composed during a bicycle ride through Baltimore's Druid Hill Park. The accompanying video, directed by Caity Arthur, reportedly finds beauty within melancholy themes.
The band's touring schedule spans multiple continents, beginning with fall festival appearances and support slots for YHWH Nailgun and This Is Lorelei. Their own headlining run extends into early 2027, covering North American cities, European venues, and festival dates including Tomorrow Never Knows in Chicago and Explore the North in the Netherlands.
This release may resonate primarily within the indie and psych-folk communities, where 4AD's roster carries significant cultural weight. The band's extensive touring schedule could strengthen their live reputation and expand their audience across both North America and Europe. For fans of experimental pop, the album's thematic exploration of mortality through accessible songwriting may offer a distinctive listening experience, potentially influencing how similar acts approach darker subject matter in their work.