Dinosaur Jr. is back, and they aren’t just delivering new music—they are dialing up the volume on their signature sound. Following a hiatus, the influential trio is set to release their sixth studio album since 2005, There Near, later this summer via Jagjaguwar. If J Mascis is anything to go by, this record marks a powerful commitment to channeling the loudest, most authentic version of themselves.
The anticipation is already building with the lead single, “Several Got Away,” which is available now. The accompanying visual experience is just as delightfully chaotic. Directed by Guy Kozak, the video embraces a lo-fi vision of the Rapture, drawing heavily on apocalyptic imagery inspired by outsider artist Henry Darger. It’s a backyard movie gone wild, complete with giant flaming hands terrorizing the band—a perfect, tongue-in-cheek reflection of their energy.
The sonic journey of There Near is rooted in nostalgia and intentional rediscovery. Mascis sought to recapture the raw feeling of Dinosaur Jr.’s formative years by revisiting their roots. To achieve this sonic throwback, he turned to history, acquiring a 1970s Mesa Boogie MK 1 amplifier—the exact model used when the band first recorded their debut album.
By invoking Rick Rubin’s famous advice to revisit a band’s genesis, Mascis is not just making music; he is digging into the wellspring of what made Dinosaur Jr. beloved. The resulting sound blends that classic energy with a renewed intensity, proving that sometimes the most profound artistic move is simply tuning back to where you started.
The album itself was crafted in bursts over a year, recorded at Amherst, Mass.’s Bisquiteen Studio. Mascis joined forces with bassist/vocalist Lou Barlow and drummer Murph, augmented by local pianist/organist Ken Mauri on several tracks, creating a rich tapestry of sound.
As for the lyrical content, Mascis remains delightfully elusive. He embraces the ambiguity, stating that he often lets whatever words work, influenced by esoteric reading, rather than trying to pin down a single narrative. When asked about the pervasive influence of digital platforms, he expressed mild disdain for Spotify’s lyric feature, suggesting it drags down the enjoyment of listening.
The momentum doesn’t stop there. Before embarking on their fall run, Dinosaur Jr. will share the stage co-headlining 17 July with Band of Horses in Kingston, New York, setting the stage for an even more expansive tour ahead.
Fans can catch the band live across the country as they launch their headlining tour, kicking off on October 9 in Las Vegas. The dates stretch through the fall, hitting major spots like Brooklyn Bowl, Marquee Theatre, and the legendary House of Blues, taking them from the West Coast to the East and Midwest.
The itinerary features stops in locations such as Tempe, Arizona; Solana Beach, California; Anaheim, California; Los Angeles, California; San Francisco, California; Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; Salt Lake City, Utah; Denver, Colorado; and Houston, Texas. It’s a road trip built on raw energy, rich sound, and the timeless appeal of classic rock.
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Credit: Spin
