Former Helium frontwoman and Wild Flag vocalist/guitarist Mary Timony’s project with drummer Laura Harris and bassist Betsy Wright, Ex Hex, are releasing their first record since their 2014 debut Rips. Titled It’s Real, the album is due for release on March 22 via Merge. Today, the band has shared the third single off the new record, following “Cosmic Cave” and “Tough Enough,” a classic rock-indebted and riff-filled shredder called “Rainbow Shiner.”
With Rips producer Jonah Takagi at the helm again, It’s Real is described as “a reaction to the blown-out aesthetic of Rips.” Moving away from the 70s and 80s punk inspiration of the previous album, It’s Real incorporates more art rock than punk rock, adding layered harmonies and bright distortion. The members have kept themselves busy since Rips, with Wright releasing a new Bat Fangs record last year and Harris playing with Death Valley Girls while Timony toured behind re-released recordings from Helium.
Ex Hex will take the Crocodile stage on Saturday, April 20. Listen to “Rainbow Shiner” and watch Ex Hex’s 2014 KEXP in-studio performance below.
"Wait, they're here?" That's how most people reacted when they heard Ex Hex were playing, mishearing their name for that of the nocturnal London trio. But that confusion soon turned to either pleasant surprise or completely expected enjoyment as Mary Timony spent an hour unleashing riff after riff …
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Afte…
