Previously, the band have known for their lighter indie-folk sound, with songs such as ‘Helplessness Blues’ and ‘Mykonos’ mixing lush folk compositions with delicate harmonies. However, after a hiatus which included lead singer Robert Pecknold’s move to solo work and Broadway composition as well as Josh Tillman’s infamous departure from the band, Fleet Foxes have seemingly moved away from a more traditional sound to create a darker but equally complex atmosphere which captures the scepticism and disappointment behind Pecknold’s lyricism.

In a recent interview given to Esquire, Pecknold explained his inspiration for the project which was rooted in a similarly titled F. Scott Fitzgerald essay, ‘The Crack-Up’. Pecknold explained that Fitzgerald’s writing, which followed his commercial and critical decline, resonated with his own personal feelings of tiredness and despair following the break-up of the band.

Initial reviews for Crack-Up have been overwhelming positive; Pitchfork scored the album at 8.7 and stated that “Crack-Up contains [Pecknold’s] most compelling writing to date because it’s so damn relatable in 2017.” Additionally, Drowned in Sound have praised the project as a new directional turn for the band which has kept their work inventive and compelling despite their long absence.

The lead single from the project, Third of May / Ōdaigahara, can be viewed below:

The band have also announced a string of North American tour dates in support of the new album. They will perform select support shows with Animal Collective and Beach House as well as multiple festival dates including headline sets at Newport Folk Festival and Latitude Festival. Full dates are listed below:

07-01 Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain – Vida Festival

07-03 Ferrara, Italy – Piazza Castello

07-07 Bilbao, Spain – Bilboa BBK Live

07-13 Dublin, Ireland – Iveagh Gardens

07-14 Dublin, Ireland – Iveagh Gardens

07-16 Southwold, England – Latitude Festival

07-27 Portland, ME – Thompson’s Point

07-28 Newport, RI – Newport Folk Festival

07-29 Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion (With Animal Collective)

07-31 Philadelphia, PA – Mann Center for the Performing Arts (With Animal Collective)

08-01 Brooklyn, NY – BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival

08-04 Toronto, Ontario – Massey Hall

08-06 Detroit, MI – The Detroit Masonic Temple

09-23 Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl (With Beach House)

09-27 Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre (With Beach House)

Pre-orders of the album from Nonesuch which include an exclusive, limited-edition print of artwork by Hiroshi Hamaya can be purchased here.