Jay Watson of Tame Impala and Pond, along with Ambrose Kenny-Smith of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, have unveiled a new track titled “Dud” from their collaborative project, GUM. This release follows the announcement of their upcoming album, Ill Times, and the sharing of its title track last month.
“Dud” holds a special place in Kenny-Smith’s heart, as it was co-written by his late father, Broderick Smith, a renowned musician in Australia. Reflecting on the song’s creation, Kenny-Smith shared, “After my Dad passed away in May last year, we never got to properly finish the song together. It only felt right to make the chorus as more of a send-off to him. I miss him every day, but I’m so glad I now have this song to remember him by. It helped me process his passing a lot. Dad used to always sign off on his emails and birthday cards with ‘- love Dud x.’”
Watson also provided insight into the song’s development, stating, “This one started as a demo Ambrose sent me, with the songwriting all there. I loved the melody and the classic chord progression, and ran about half of the stems through a tremolo, as well as adding some Vox repeater fuzz tremolo, a classic Spacemen 3 trick. It just sounded like Track 1 to me, I don’t know why.”
Accompanying the release of “Dud” is a music video directed by Matt Wallace and Jack Rule of Recliner Films. Rule described the video as landing “somewhere between happy and sad.” He elaborated, “Sam, an actor and friend of ours, played the role perfectly and, when he started to break into dance, he kind of became this emotional extension of Ambrose who could help share the load of the very real emotional heft of this beautiful track.”
The video captures the essence of the song, blending moments of joy and sorrow, and providing a visual representation of the emotional journey that Kenny-Smith experienced while creating “Dud.” The collaboration between GUM and Ambrose Kenny-Smith has resulted in a poignant and heartfelt track that resonates with listeners on a deep level.
Ill Times, the album from which “Dud” is taken, is set to be released on July 19th via p(doom). The anticipation for this album has been building since the announcement of the project, and “Dud” serves as a powerful preview of what fans can expect.
The collaboration between Watson and Kenny-Smith brings together their unique musical styles and talents, creating a sound that is both fresh and nostalgic. The combination of Watson’s production skills and Kenny-Smith’s emotive songwriting has resulted in a track that is sure to leave a lasting impact.
As the release date for Ill Times approaches, fans of GUM, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, and Tame Impala are eagerly awaiting the full album. “Dud” has set the stage for what promises to be a memorable and emotionally charged collection of songs.
In the meantime, listeners can immerse themselves in the bittersweet melodies of “Dud” and appreciate the heartfelt tribute to Broderick Smith. The song stands as a testament to the enduring power of music to heal and connect us, even in the face of loss.
With the release of “Dud,” GUM and Ambrose Kenny-Smith have given fans a glimpse into the deeply personal and collaborative nature of their project. The song’s emotional depth and beautiful composition make it a standout track that will undoubtedly resonate with listeners for years to come.
As we await the release of Ill Times, “Dud” serves as a poignant reminder of the power of music to capture and convey the complexities of the human experience. The collaboration between Watson and Kenny-Smith has resulted in a track that is both a tribute to a loved one and a testament to the enduring power of music.
