WHAT THE HELL IS IT THIS TIME? The new single by Sparks
From the album Hippopotamus (released September 8 2017)
On BMG www.allsparks.com @sparksofficial /sparksofficial
Sparks release ‘What The Hell Is It This Time?’, the new single from the highly anticipated album Hippopotamus (due September 8 2017). Sparks are famed for writing songs about unlikely subjects and do not disappoint with ‘What The Hell Is It This Time?’ – “an often uttered phrase when people listen to a new Sparks song” according to Ron Mael.
Stream ‘What The Hell Is It This Time?’ HERE
Watch the video for ‘What The Hell Is It This Time?’ HERE
Recorded in Los Angeles, ‘Hippopotamus’ sees Sparks take the pop form, shake it up, and create an album that is adventurous, fresh and idiosyncratically ‘Sparks’. Described as “the smartest, most consistently evolving band in the history of rock”, and internationally acclaimed as pop pioneers, Sparks’ music has always been innovative and instantly identifiable.
7 Broadbent Close, Highgate Village, London, N6 5JW t 020 3213 0135 f 020 8348 7776 e [email protected] www.republicmedia.net @republic_media
The title track, first played on BBC Radio 6 Music, was released as a single at midnight Friday 24th March after the band performed it, as well as 3 other songs from the album, in their set at the 6 Music Festival in Glasgow. The song was received with delight on its release in March.
“think Sesame Street brought to you by the letters L,S and D” NME
“combining Dr Seuss whimsy, classical miniaturism and the archest humours – with an invitation to dance – Ron and Russel Mael return as only they can” MOJO
“while it’s hard to “miss” a phenomenon as eternally out of place as Sparks, it’s still good to have them back” The Guardian ‘Track of the Week’
“Welcome back you lovely disco oddballs” Music Week
Hippopotamus single, official video: WATCH Hippopotamus single, spoken word video: WATCH Hippopotamus single, spoken word video (fan version): WATCH
The Hippopotamus single coincided with the band’s performance at the BBC Radio 6 Music in Glasgow at which they premiered tracks from the new album, a set that drew acclaim from fans and media alike:
“modern, sly and subversive. Still relevant” Scottish Daily Mail
“some of the most life-affirming and attention-grabbing pop singles of all time….Sparks lyrics reach the parts which other bands wouldn’t even think to explore” The Scotsman
“a fantastic set filled with quirky electronica” Louder Than War
“The Mael Brothers’ talent never seems to wane” The Sunday Herald
Sparks will return to Europe for The Hippopotamus Tour
Monday 07 Aug Vega Theater, Copenhagen Tuesday 08 Aug Rockefeller, Oslo, Norway Thursday 10 Aug Cirkus, Stockholm, Sweden Saturday 12 Aug Flow Festival, Helsinki, Finland Monday 11 Sep Lucerna Music Bar, Prague Tuesday 12 Sep Columbia Theatre, Berlin Thursday 14 Sep Paard van Troje, Den Haag Friday 15 Sep Den Atelier, Luxembourg Saturday 16 Sep Ancienne Belgique, Brussels Monday 18 Sep Waterfront, Norwich Tuesday 19 Sep The Boilershop, Newcastle Wednesday 20 Sep Queens Hall, Edinburgh Friday 22 Sep O2 Ritz, Manchester Saturday 23 Sep Rock City, Nottingham Sunday 24 Sep O2 Institute 1, Birmingham Tuesday 26 Sep 02 Academy, Bristol Wednesday 27 Sep O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London Thursday 28 Sep 02 Shepherds Bush Empire, London www.allsparks.com/calendar more dates to be added
Hippopotamus Album Tracklisting: 1. Probably Nothing 2. Missionary Position 3. Edith Piaf (Said It Better Than Me) 4. Scandinavian Design 5. Giddy Giddy
7 Broadbent Close, Highgate Village, London, N6 5JW t 020 3213 0135 f 020 8348 7776 e [email protected] www.republicmedia.net @republic_media
6. What The Hell Is It This Time? 7. Unaware 8. Hippopotamus 9. Bummer 10. I Wish You Were Fun 11. So Tell Me Mrs. Lincoln Aside From That How Was The Play? 12. When You're A French Director (featuring Leos Carax) 13. The Amazing Mr. Repeat 14. A Little Bit Like Fun 15. Life With The Macbeths
Pre-order Hippopotamus album here: https://sparks.lnk.to/hippopotamusPR Hippopotamus Store (D2C) link - https://sparks.lnk.to/HippoStoreWE
7 Broadbent Close, Highgate Village, London, N6 5JW t 020 3213 0135 f 020 8348 7776 e [email protected] www.republicmedia.net @republic_media