Phish bassist Mike Gordon has shared a new single, “Mull”, from his upcoming solo album Flying Games, due out via ATO Records/Megaplum on Friday, May 12th [pre-order here].
Featuring thick and fuzzy synth bass and aggressive psychedelic rock guitar, “Mull” follows “Tilting” as the second preview of Flying Games. The song has appeared in a handful of Phish’s live sets over the past two years and deals with the themes of indecision and deliberation.
“’Mull’ is a tribute to how indecisive I used to be, though maybe I still am, or maybe I’m not so much anymore?” Gordon said. “This song is for anyone who likes to bask in states of limbo.”
The single was shaped in part by guitarist Scott Murawski, whose incendiary guitar solos add a layer of familiar sounds over the backdrop of Gordon’s makeshift percussion groove, which includes the sound of wrenches clanging against tractors in his garage—made even more unrecognizable by the use of effects. Murawski encouraged Gordon to write an in-your-face rock song, though the result maintains the character of a Mike Gordon composition with a funky, driving rhythm, impactful chord changes, and a healthy dose of existentialist introspection.
Flying Games was recorded by longtime collaborator Jared Slomoff and mixed by Grammy Award-winning engineer Shawn Everett (Alabama Shakes, The War on Drugs), who used Stevie Wonder‘s “Higher Ground” as a reference for the track.
“‘Higher Ground’ has nothing to do with ‘Mull,’” Gordon explained, “but Shawn used it as a reference for organizing the tracks or cueing certain instruments. He’s a real visionary and has so many ways of pulling himself out of his comfort zone, which all ties into my overall goal of creating a very unique layering of sounds.”
Despite its many layers of varying timbres and fuzzy distortion, “Mull” strikes a balance of simplicity and sophistication—punk rock edge and compositional complexity—while illuminating a difficult aspect of human connection.
“I’ve gotten more decisive as I’ve gotten older, but this song is partly about being wish-washy in situations where you’re not sure how to deal with someone who’s frustrating you,” Gordon said. “It’s also got that moment of elation when you realize you actually don’t need that person, and you can go ahead and move on with your life.”
“Mull” is available now on all streaming platforms. Listen via YouTube in the player below.
Mike Gordon – “Mull”
Mike Gordon will hit the road in support of Flying Games this summer, with headline dates and festival appearances including Northlands Music Festival, Blue Ox, and The Peach. The tour will culminate with a home state tour finale at Burlington, VT’s Higher Ground Ballroom on July 2nd. Tickets are on sale now. Click below to view a list of tour dates and visit Mike Gordon’s website for more information and ticketing details.