Pink Elephant, the seventh studio album by Arcade Fire, (Win Butler, Régine Chassagne, Jeremy Gara, Tim Kingsbury and Richard Reed Parry), will be released on May 9 via Columbia Records. Pink Elephant‘s arrival is preceded by first single “Year of the Snake,” available now across all digital platforms and as a video which can be seen HERE.
Composed of 10 new tracks, Pink Elephant is produced by Win Butler, Régine Chassagne and Daniel Lanois and was recorded at Win and Régine’s own Good News Recording Studio in New Orleans.
The term “pink elephant” refers to that paradoxical effect where the effort to suppress a thought leads to it being impossible to avoid.
“Year of the Snake” not only includes Régine’s vocals, but features her Arcade Fire debut on bass, and Win Butler’s debut on drums. The song’s title refers to 2025 being the Lunar Year of the Snake, which represents a time for renewal, positive transformation and new beginnings.
The visuals for “Year of the Snake” represent the creative outcome of a special project with the band’s longtime collaborator David Wilson, alongside video artist Mark Prendergast. The video follows Win and Régine as they take the viewer on a voyage in their festively appointed 1994 Ford Aerostar. From New Orleans’ Mardi Gras, to Houston’s rodeos, the viewer is pulled into a mystical quest, from carnivals to dormant railroad tracks and myriad points between. All roads eventually lead to Willie Nelson’s Luck Ranch outside of Austin, where they debut “Year of the Snake” under the full blood moon.
This week also marks the debut of the Circle of Trust app – a resource for Arcade Fire news, music, videos, early access to tickets, exclusive merch, and the premiere episode of Santa Pirata Radio, where the band speak directly to fans and offer personal insights and behind the scenes info on all things Arcade Fire. The Circle of Trust app features the exclusive release of the track “Cars and Telephones” and its accompanying video. This previously unreleased rarity is Win’s first composition that he ever played for Régine.
The Circle of Trust app can be downloaded
HERE
In the coming days Arcade Fire will announce special gigs in select cities where the band will perform Pink Elephant in its entirety prior to its release. Fans should stay tuned to the band’s socials for more information on these intimate performances.
Pink Elephant is the first full-length collection of new Arcade Fire music since 2022’s WE, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top U.S. Albums Sales, #1 in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands, plus Top 5 positions in Canada, Belgium, France, Germany and Switzerland. Also topping the U.S. Rock, Alternative and Vinyl Billboard charts, WE was nominated for a Best Alternative Grammy.
Track listing:
Open Your Heart or Die Trying
Pink Elephant
Year of the Snake
Circle of Trust
Alien Nation
Beyond Salvation
Ride or Die
I Love Her Shadow
She Cries Diamond Rain
Stuck In My Head
Pink Elephant will be available in multiple formats.
George Paul
