Pile recently announced their new EP, Hot Air Balloon, due out January 5th from Exploding In Sound Records, and today they're back with one more early single from the release--the captivating "Only For A Reminder."
The five song Hot Air Balloon was recorded during the sessions of Pile's acclaimed 2023 full-length, All Fiction, and functions as a companion to that album. But these aren't simply extra songs from the All Fiction sessions, these are essential Pile tracks that pack a serious punch, as indicated by previous singles "Scaling Walls" and "The Birds Attacked My Hot Air Balloon" (which drew attention from the likes of NPR, Stereogum, Paste Magazine, BrooklynVegan, and more).
"Only A Reminder" leans into the adventurous streak that's always powered Pile's music, unfolding around a haunting synth line and vocalist/guitarist agile melodies. The track crests with a squall of cutting guitars and bass then settles on a beautifully sparse outro that highlights Pile's unending drive to push their sound into new territory.
Maguire discussed the new song, saying:
"'Only For A Reminder' is a song about punishment, judgment, and betrayal from a force once thought of as benevolent or at worst, benign."
The release of All Fiction felt like the start of a new chapter for Pile, leaning into the band's keen sense of atmosphere and experimentation to create some of their most ambitious work to date. The album's sessions were especially productive and luckily for the listener, these other recordings are set to see the light of day via the Hot Air Balloon EP. After sixteen years as a band, Pile are still making visceral and essential music, and if Hot Air Balloon is any indication, the band are doing more than keeping up the pace--they're just getting started with some of the boldest and most compelling songs of their career.
Pile have also announced an upcoming full band performance in Somerville, MA, as well as a run of Rick Maguire solo shows. See full itinerary below.
Upcoming Shows:
11/28/23 Somerville MA - Crystal Ballroom w/ Ovlov, Disco Doom, & Rong 12/05/23 Kittery ME - Buoy Gallery w/ Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band * 12/19/23 Troy NY - No Fun * 12/20/23 Ithaca NY - Angry Mom Records * 12/21/23 Pittsburgh PA - Bottle Rocket * 12/22/23 Louisville KY - Camp Social Club * 12/23/23 Nashville TN - DRKMTTR * 12/27/23 Memphis TN - HI Tone cafe * 12/28/23 Oklahoma City OK - Resonant Head * 12/29/23 Dallas TX - Club Dada * 12/30/23 Austin TX - Mohawk (Indoors) * 01/02/24 Houston TX - Bohemeo's * 01/03/24 New Orleans LA - Gasa Gasa * 01/05/24 Chattanooga TN - Woodshop * 01/06/24 Asheville NC - Different Wrld * 01/07/24 Raleigh NC - Kings * 01/08/24 Washington DC - Pie Shop * 01/09/24 Philadelphia PA - Johnny Brendas * 01/10/24 New York NY - The Broadway * 01/11/24 Boston MA - Rockwell *
