Lael Neale releases new album on Sub Pop with a stranger vibe
Lael Neale is set to release her new album titled Altogether Stranger on May 2nd, 2025, in collaboration with Sub Pop. The upcoming album not only showcases Neale’s musical talent but also delves into a diverse range of themes and styles. It features a mix of garage rock nursery rhymes, creation myths, Motorik dance dirges, and introspective Omnichord meditations. This collection of nine songs marks the third time Neale has teamed up with producer Guy Blakeslee, known for his work on the ‘Lost Tapes’ home recordings of Acquainted with Night and the 2023 album Star Eaters Delight.
Working with Blakeslee allowed Neale to expand her musical horizons while preserving the raw and personal touch characteristic of her home recordings. Altogether Stranger was born out of Neale’s three-year experience moving between the tranquility of rural life and the chaos of urban environments. Reflecting on her return to Los Angeles, Neale describes feeling like an alien in a dystopian society, leading her to write from the perspective of an outsider observing the peculiarities of human behavior.
Neale has also released a self-directed video for the track Tell Me How To Be Here, capturing the stark and haunting essence of her return to LA after residing in rural Virginia for three years. The video, filmed by Neale and Blakeslee in Los Angeles, adds a visual dimension to the deeply personal and reflective nature of the song.
To support the launch of Altogether Stranger, Lael Neale will embark on a headlining tour across the UK and IE from April to May 2025. The tour will take her to various cities, including Dublin, Belfast, Bristol, London, Manchester, Newcastle, and Glasgow. Fans can catch Neale live at venues such as Workman’s Cellar, McHughs, The Louisiana, Omeara, YES Basement, Cumberland Arms, and Hug & Pint.
For those eager to experience Altogether Stranger firsthand, pre-order options are available on Sub Pop’s website. With its innovative blend of musical genres and thought-provoking lyrics, Lael Neale’s forthcoming album promises to be a captivating and introspective journey into the realm of alternative folk rock.