Divide and Dissolve announce new record, Systemic, out on June 30th via Invada

Divide and Dissolve have just announced Systemic, their new and fourth record, which examines the systems that intrinsically bind us and calls for a system that facilitates life for everyone. It’s a message that fits with the band’s core intention: to make music that honours their ancestors and Indigenous land, to oppose white supremacy and to work towards a future of Black and Indigenous liberation. Saxophonist and guitarist Takiaya Reed comments, “This music is an acknowledgement of the dispossession that occurs due to colonial violence,” She continues, “The goal of the colonial project is to separate Indigenous people from their culture, their life force, their community and their traditions. The album is in direct opposition to this”. Like its predecessor, Gas Lit, Systemic was produced by Ruban Neilson of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and in anticipation to its arrival, Divide and Dissolve have released a video for the lead single “Blood Quantum”, which calls into question the violent process of verification of Identity – you can watch the video below this article.

You can feel the deep intention in Divide and Dissolve’s music. Their dense sound is overwhelmingly heavy; a dissonant pounding of percussion, guitars, piano, synths and saxophone, interwoven with passages of orchestral beauty that give a feeling of respite. “The heaviness is really important,” Takiaya says. “It’s congruent with the message of the music, and the heaviness feels emblematic of this world’s situation”. Systemic was recorded as a duo and Takiaya says this new record is a continuation of Gas Lit. “Because of what was built with Gas Lit, Systemic is able to express itself”. In Systemic, Divide and Dissolve reflect deeply on the systems that perpetuate colonial violence. The album reflects on systems that facilitate a better future. “The album is a prayer to our ancestors,” Takiaya says. “A prayer for land to be given back to Indigenous people, and for future generations to be free from this cycle of violence.”

Systemic will be released on June 30th via Invada. Pre-orders will be made available soon.

Photo credit: Yatri Niehaus