Illy just dropped the flippin’ motherload, hitting us with the holy trinity: a new album announcement, new single and new tour.
Here’s the lowdown: the ARIA Award-nominated MC’s fifth studio album has been named Two Degrees. It’s a 13-track collab-fest that features not only his Hottest 100-charting tune Swear Jar and monster hit Papercuts with Vera Blue, but also a stack of other guests including — very interestingly — a song with Jenna McDougall from Sydney pop punk mega-act Tonight Alive.
“This is a very big deal. I almost can’t believe it, but after 3 years, I’m so happy to say… My new album, Two Degrees, comes out November 11, 2016,” Illy says. “Oh man, that feels good to say. FINALLY! This is my best work to date. I can’t wait for you to hear it.”
The M-Phazes-produced disc is led by the brand spanking new single Catch 22 (below) feat. British Rudimental-associated vocalist Anne-Marie, an uplifting finger-clicker about living life to the fullest.
“Sometimes life isn’t about always making the ‘right’ choices. Some of the best times are when you do the opposite. Catch 22 is about knowing that,” Illy says of the track.
The rapper premiered the song live on triple j this morning, phoning in from LA where he’s currently shooting the official video clip.
“It’s pretty lit… Anne-Marie’s in a DeLorean,” he revealed, adding that the album title was inspired by America’s outgoing POTUS:
“President Obama was asked whether he viewed his presidency as a success, having faced such fierce opposition throughout his two terms. His answer likened society to a ship, where you can’t steer 50 degrees at once, but if you move two degrees, then another two degrees, and continue like this, years later you end up in a very different place from where you began. And as long as you’re steering in the right direction, and progressing, your impact is made over time. This album is a celebration of moving forward, two degrees at a time. I hope you enjoy it.”
Illy has also announced a celebratory trio of intimate east coast tour dates, “the smallest headline shows [he’s] played in years”, happening the week of the album’s release, which will see him performing the disc live and in full.
Catch all the tour details, and cop a squiz at the album’s artwork & official tracklisting, below.
And ICYMI: you can also catch Illy performing at this year’s Falls Festival, Coffs Harbour’s Banana Fields Music & Arts Festival and Newcastle’s The Cambridge NYE street party on the last day of the year.
Listen: Illy – ‘Catch 22’ feat. Anne-Marie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc3BTs9sPUc
Illy ‘Two Degrees’ Album Launch Dates 2016
Tickets on sale from 9am Wednesday, 12th October.
Tuesday, 15th November
Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Illy
Wednesday, 16th November
Oxford Art Factory, Sydney, NSW
Tickets: Illy
Thursday, 17th November
Howler, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Illy
‘Two Degrees’ cover art:
‘Two Degrees’ tracklist:
1. Forget It
2. If Looks Could Kill
3. Hazard To Myself (feat. Sir The Baptist)
4. Oh My (feat. Jenna McDougall)
5. Swear Jar
6. Papercuts (feat. Vera Blue)
7. Lightshow
8. Two Degrees
9. Catch 22 (feat. Anne-Marie)
10. Extra Extra (feat. Mike Waters)
11. You Say When (feat. Marko Penn)
12. Truce
13. Highway
