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The Shins have released two new songs, “Waimanalo” and “Trapped by the Sea,” in honor of late bandmate Richard Swift, who died last year.
The tracks are part of a seven-inch vinyl series — Fug Yep Soundation — created for Swift. They mark the Shins’ first new music since their 2017 album Heartworms.
Both tracks were written and produced by Shins frontman James Mercer. The proceeds from sales of Fug Yep will support the Swift family, as well as MusiCares and Music Support UK. The goal of the series is to “raise awareness for addiction and bring community to those suffering.” Fans can purchase the seven-inch here.
Swift, who performed with the Shins and the Black Keys, died of alcohol-related illness last July at 41. The musician — who also produced artists like Foxygen, Sharon Van Etten and Damien Jurado — owned and founded the Oregon recording studio National Freedom. His posthumous LP, The Hex, came out last fall.
James Mercer’s other band, Broken Bells, have been working on their third album. Mercer and his collaborator Danger Mouse released a new song, “Good Luck,” in September. The duo confirmed they’ve begun studio sessions for their as-yet-untitled third LP, which follows a standalone 2018 song “Shelter,”two full-length albums (2010’sBroken Bellsand 2014’sAfter the Disco) and 2011 EP,Meyrin Fields.
