
Math-Rock/Psychedelic Rock band We Contain Multitudes released first single “Can We Just Not?” taken from upcoming new album “Minako” due out on June 25, 2025 via Expert Work Records. Purchase and Stream the single on Bandcamp:
We Contain Multitudes formed in 2017, which means itâs taken a very long time for them to actually release a record. But Jon lives in New York City, Orestes lives in Tucson, Arizona, and Simon lives in the UK in London. Also there was this whole Covid thing, which made getting together in the same room to play music rather complex for a while.
Tracklist:
01. Minako
02. Can We Just Not?
03. D9
04. We Are All Fucked
05. Bathroom Drugs
06. Jeitinho
07. Atkins
Anyway. Simon met Jon and Orestes when smallgang opened for Bitch Magnet in London in 2011. When Jon and Orestes first discussed forming We Contain Multitudes, they immediately thought of recruiting Simon to play bass, largely because he is a much better guitarist than Jon.
“Minako“âpronounced mih-NAH-koâis a name that means âbeautiful childâ in Japanese. The album is at least partly named for the city pop vocalist Minako Yoshida. (Simon, whose father is Japanese, came up with it).
âIt took us a long time to finish the songs on this album,â admits Jon. âIf Iâd had to write lyrics, we wouldnât have finished this record until 2030, at least, and Expert Work would be even more disappointed with us than they already are.â
He continues, more seriously this time: âIt was a great gift to be able to build these songs for years, in a kind of clandestine and invisible way. It feels like weâve been keeping a secret from everyone, and weâre so fucking psyched to share itâfinally!âwith the world.â
We Contain Multitudesâ music is heavy and intricate. At times, “Minako” goes far deeper into Psychedelic, repetitive, and Minimal/Maximalist realms than anything these guysâ prior bands have done. Discussing the opening single, “Can We Just Not ?” Jon Fine explains: âYou would not believe how many guitar tracksâand how many different guitarsâare on âCan We Just Not?â says Jon about the point of entry for We Contain Multitudes. âAbe Seiferth, who mixed and produced it with us, did an unbelievable job in making it all cohere. The groove that Simon and Orestes came up with kills meâand, God, I love that ending so much.“
The band assembles their songs via a long and painstaking process. Oftenâthough not alwaysâit starts with riffs and parts Jon comes up with. These are shared via the usual long-distance/digital means. Sometimes Jon assembles such riffs into rough drafts of a song, which tend to get substantially reworked (and vastly improved) when the band gathers for intensive stretches of rehearsals. Also, Simon has an annoying knack of casually showing up with excellent bass riffsâor coming up with them on the spot; please, someone, explain to us how this happensâlike the one in âWe Are All Fucked,â which the band then fashions into songs. And Orestes is always sending Jon and Simon beats to work from.
“Minako” was recorded by Abe Seiferth and produced by Seiferth and the band. The double LP is coming out this June 25 via Expert Work Records. The limited edition of 300 including 50 on orange vinyl is available for Pre-Order now from Expert Work Records HERE. As well from Bandcamp HERE