Scottish post-rock warriors Mogwai have had a hell of a run over the past 30 years or so. Early next year, they'll release a career-spanning collection under the title Happy Tears. It's funny to think that Mogwai are the kind of band to put out a greatest-hits album, but it also makes its own kind of sense. That compilation will also include a new track called "Underground." It's a collaboration with Iggy Pop, someone who started twisting loud rock 'n' roll into strange new shapes decades before Mogwai got started.
In his memoir Spaceships Over Glasgow, Mogwai leader Stuart Braithwaite wrote about how exposure to Stooges records was "life-changing" for him as a kid. So it's an absolute trip to hear Iggy Pop drawling about how his home is underground and he doesn't need to suck a cock over Mogwai's dramatic churn. In a press release, Pop says, "I’ve always liked Mogwai. The opening of the track reminded me of the crushing modern loneliness. The sung vocal, which was arranged by Matt Sweeney, felt like it was made for someone who is pissed off and doesn’t mind saying so."
Along with the Happy Tears collection, Mogwai have worked with production company Cup & Nuzzle to make a feature-length oral-history audio documentary called Happy Tears: The Story Of Mogwai; it's coming out in conjunction with the comp. Below, check out "Underground" and the Happy Tears tracklist.
TRACKLIST:
01 "Yes! I Am A Long Way From Home"
02 "I'm Jim Morrison I'm Dead"
03 "Hunted By A Freak"
04 "Take Me Somewhere Nice"
05 "Boltfor"
06 "CODY"
07 "Brand New Paths to Helicon 1"
08 "How To Be A Werewolf"
09 "Auto Rock"
10 "Remurdered"
11 "Ritchie Sacramento"
12 Lion Rumpus"
13 "Underground" (feat. Iggy Pop)
Happy Tears is out 1/8 on Mogwai's own Rock Action label. Pre-order it here.
