Listen: Dhani Harrison's thenewno2 reemerges, with help from RZA
Just days before its Monday night appearance at Hollywood's Bardot, Dhani Harrison's collective thenewno2 has unveiled its new RZA-bolstered track, "Mr. President." The song is the centerpiece of a four-song EP, "EP002," due Sept. 27, through the band's own Hot Records.
"Mr. President" sees the groove-focused, electronic-enhanced collective focusing less on its atmospheric side and wholeheartedly embracing a more digital presentation. What surprises, perhaps, is how effortlessly the act segues into hip-hop, as Harrison's soft and familiar vocals provide a grounded counterbalance to RZA's political verses. The cut, which also features RZA pals Crisis and Sir Eyes, is a short, fast and direct take on class warfare, targeting its ire largely at the previous American presidential administration.
Listen to it after the jump:
Harrison -- yes, the son of George -- considers thenewno2 more of a collective with varied technological pursuits rather than a typical group. "We're all studio nerds -- that's who I've surrounded myself with," Harrison told the Los Angeles Times of the act's approach back in 2009. "Every single person in the band is also a mix engineer or a soundtrack engineer or a composer or a filmmaker or some other kind of nerd. I design video games -- that's my nerdy side."
Thenewno2 is currently in the midst of recording the follow-up to 2008's "You Are Here," and intends to have the album ready for 2012 release. As for "EP002," RZA isn't the only A-list guest, as Regina Spektor makes an appearance on "Live a Lie." The EP is rounded out by a track called "Wide Awake" and a remix of "Mr. President."
"School Night" at the Bardot is free, but an RSVP is required. Doors open at 9 p.m. for the weekly KCRW-curated event at 1737 Vine St. in Hollywood.
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-- Todd Martens
Photo credit: Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times
