Barbarossa's 'Bloodlines' to be Released, 8/6

Barbarossa, (aka James Mathé), releases his new album Bloodlines on August 5th(UK) and August 6th (US). Stream the entire album at KCRW now.

From the sultry ache of opener Bloodlines - a nod to Massive Attack's Unfinished Sympathy "about not picking up the bad habits of the generation before you", says Mathé - to the Pharrell Williams-inspired urban crunch of 'Turbine', all the way to 'The Load', written when Mathé was indulging in his love of Jurassic 5 era 90s hip hop, Bloodlines is a brilliantly varied listen that pulls and paws at your heartstrings. If there's a gloriously loose, tenebrous feel to songs like the blue-eyed electro-soul 'Pagliacco', it might have something to do with the Londoner's organic approach to song writing. "I just sit down with my dictaphone and make sense of what comes out afterwards. The best stuff usually comes when I'm hungover or not really thinking. The minute I try to be clever with words, it just sounds s," Mathé laughs. Instead, the album's lyrics burn with a simple, poignant immediacy and Mathé sings them with touching, soulful grace.=

Tender yet triumphant, Bloodlines marks Mathé as one of Britain's most versatile and adventurous artists.

Aug 06 UK, London, The Waiting Room

Sep 08 UK, Newport, Bestival

Sep 09 UK, Manchester, Castle

Sep 11 UK, Brighton, The Green Store Door

Sep 13 UK, London, Sebright Arms

Sep 19 The Netherlands, Amsterdam, Paradiso (upstairs)

Sep 21 France, Paris, Fleche d'or

Sep 22 Belgium, Brussels, Botanique (Witloof Bar)

Sep 24 Germany, Cologne, Studio 672

Sep 25 Germany, Stuttgart, Schocken

Sep 26 Germany, Frankfurt, Zoom

Sep 27 Germany, Hamburg, Reeperbahn Festival

Sep 28 Germany, Berlin, Berlin Independente Night

Barbarossa