Canadian virtuoso, Devin Townsend, has announced the release of his new studio album, Lightwork. The release date, October 28.
The singer, songwriter and producer recorded this latest album at The Farm Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
The front cover artwork has been released and was designed by Devin’s longtime friend and designer Travis Smith. Scroll down past the words to see.
As part of a limited-edition version of the release, Lightwork will be accompanied by a companion record called Nightwork.
We will have more info as it becomes available.
Recently, Townsend spoke about the project, writing in an Instagram post:
“So my next album is called ‘Lightwork’ and it’s a bit different for me in a few ways: I spent a fair amount of time trying to dislike it (I think) because I worked with a team on it instead of just braining out on it myself, and I guess the challenges of that process disconnected me from it slightly at first and I wanted to hate it. In the end however, I’ve decided that not only do I like it, but I may actually really love it.”
He continued: “It’s not what I expected and it’s not what I would have done if left to my own devices of course, but that may ultimately be the whole point. It makes me feel good and says something quite healthy. It kind of represents a ‘bridge between two continents’ in some ways… as in: sort of a fulcrum between where I ‘was’ and where I am going. It’s kind of simple structurally and sort of commercial in some senses, but it’s still something I can get behind and enjoy hearing, and it not only says what I feel I need to say at this point, but maybe says things I didn’t realize I needed to say as well.’
Townsend also said:
“After working tirelessly prior to this tour to finish it and make peace with it, I’m proud to say it’s good. We’ll be releasing three songs from it that together kind of summarize the theme, and honestly after a bunch of false starts, I’ll be making the first two videos myself this week as I think it’s more honest that way. The first song is kind of a simple introduction to the theme that may be off putting, The second song is my favourite, and the third one will be super epic.
“It’s been a difficult few years and my life has changed more dramatically than I realized… ‘Lightwork’ represents, I think, the resolve to stay balanced during a turbulent time and I’m grateful for it and for what comes next. I hope the audience sees it for what it is as opposed to what it isn’t, but ultimately: I have decided it was what I needed to say.
“I know I’m a lunatic in a lot of ways, but I think I’m more at peace with that now as a result as well.”
In another interview Townsend said:
“‘Lightwork’ is the exhaust of the process of trying to figure out how fucking crazy the world is. Describing the LP’s musical direction as “strong, healthy, clean and big,” he explained that right now “I don’t have the emotional bandwidth to participate in something that’s oppressively heavy. So, it’s a lot more light-hearted. It’s easy listening and it’s innocent.
“I think the diehards may like it in the beginning and then get bored of it quickly,” he said. “I think that the people who are much less invested in what it is that I do will probably like it more than the others. It’s a lot easier to digest.”
