Things are coming together for Perth, Australia dream/psych-rockers Methyl Ethel. Another one of our favorites from CMJ 2015, it was announced today that the Jake Webb-led trio signed to 4AD and that their ethereal debut album, Oh Inhuman Spectacle, is available digitally worldwide now with CD and LP formats coming in May. Along with this stellar news, comes a video for album opener “Idée Fixe,” which you can watch below. The band also have their first US tour on the horizon, including shows at Baby’s All Right and SXSW.

Currently shortlisted for the Australian Music prize alongside such acts as Tame Impala and Courtney Barnett, Methyl Ethel was born in 2013 around the alt-pop bedroom musings of androgynous-voiced multi-instrumentalist Jake Webb. The project’s unusual, yet catchy name comes from the chemical compound Webb’s father uses to make fiber-glass – methyl ethyl ketone peroxide. Adopting this name, Webb released the EP diptych Guts and Teeth, which explored themes of anxiety, disillusionment, and stasis.

Webb later went on to record the 12-track reverb-soaked Oh Inhuman Spectacle, which was released in Australia in June via Remote Control’s label imprint Dot Dash Recordings. A truly haunting LP, it should appeal to fans of Deerhunter and Beach House.

The video below for album single “Idée Fixe” is directed by Olivier Groulx, whose other credits include alt-J’s “Every Other Freckle,” Gang of Four’s “England’s in my Bones” featuring Alison Mosshart, and Deerhunter’s “Back to the Middle.”

Methyl Ethel’s US Tour begins March 10 with a show at Baby’s All Right. Tickets are available here. After the U.S. they head back to Australia for a few shows before heading out to play their first shows in the UK and Europe. The band’s full tour schedule is below.

Oh Inhuman Spectacle is available for download now via iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and Apple Music.

METHYL ETHEL TOUR DATES
March 10 – BROOKLYN, NY, Baby’s Alright
March 12 – CHICAGO, IL, Levitation Chicago at Thalia Hall
March 15-18 – AUSTIN, TX, SXSW
March 19 – SAN ANTONIO, TX, Heatwave at Paper Tiger
March 22 – DENVER, CO, Lost Lake Lounge
March 23 – SALT LAKE CITY, UT, Kilby Court
March 24 – BOISE, ID, Treefort Festival
March 25 – SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Rickshaw Stop
March 28 – LOS ANGELES, CA, School Night at Bardot
March 30 – SEATTLE, WA, Barboza
April 14 – MELBOURNE, Northcote Social Club
April 15 – ADELAIDE, Jive
April 22 – PERTH, The Rosemount
April 30 – SYDNEY, Plan B
May 17 – LONDON, Shacklewell Arms
May 19-21 – BRIGHTON, The Great Escape
May 23 – LONDON, Old Blue Last
May 25 – PARIS, La Fleche D’Or
May 26 – NIJMEGEN, Merleyn
May 28 – AMSTERDAM, London Calling

Photo Credit: Mia Mala MacDonald