Jam titans Umphrey’s McGee are gearing up for a huge 2018. With the band’s 20th anniversary approaching in early January and a year-long celebration in store, Umphrey’s will kick off the huge year with the release of a new album. The new album, it’s not us, will be released on Friday, January 12th via Nothing Too Fancy Music, and it will feature a mix of reliable, road-tested material such as “Remind Me” and “Speak Up”, songs culled from old jams and demos such as “The Silent Type”, “Forks”, and “You & You Alone”, as well as several unheard, brand new tracks. Fans have been itching to hear some of the new material, but, until now, have only been able to hear lead single “The Silent Type” and bass-heavy b-side “Looks” thanks to an exclusive Record Store Day Black Friday release and a fun music video.
Today, however, Umphrey’s McGee released a new lyric video for one of the brand new songs that made the cut for it’s not us via GuitarWorld.com. “Half Delayed” features a laid-back vibe, with a smooth, groove-based drum beat and echo-laden guitar anchoring the track. Brendan Bayliss’ vocals are as clean as ever, with the band once again showing their prowess for harmonies on the song’s chorus. Even though the song clocks in at 3:36, guitar wizard Jake Cinninger still has time to shine, delivering a stunning, soaring guitar solo at the end of the track.
Umphrey’s McGee Drops Futuristic Techno-Romp Music Video For “The Silent Type”
“Initially, ‘Half Delayed’ was the working title, just a marker to quickly remind me that this idea was only half finished and started with a delay loop,” Bayliss explained to Guitar World. “We never intended to call it “Half Delayed”, but it actually fits when you listen to the lyrics.” He went on to explain that “the whole song started with a simple delayed guitar line that could be faded out and back in at any point, and that gave it a hypnotic vibe that set the table for everything else. It starts small and ends big.”
Cinninger added that “‘Half Delayed’ is relaxed then energized…We just let the tape roll and I approached it by thinking about the vocal melody. Atmosphere is key, too much Pro Tools in most rock music today loses a sense dynamics. Going off the cuff results in a more human sound.”
“Half Delayed” packs a punch, with the song starting off as a ballad, moving into groove-rock territory before finishing off with aggressive power rock. Umphrey’s McGee shows just how dynamic they can be on this new song from it’s not us. Listen to “Half Delayed” below.