Of Montreal Shares Video for New Song “Already Dreaming” Directed by Kevin Barnes’ Daughter

Key Takeaways

• aethermead drops June 5 via Polyvinyl, featuring personal, confessional lyrics.
• Beatrice Barnes directs 'Already Dreaming' video, drawing on 60s surrealist aesthetics.
• Tour launches June 19, covering 30 U.S. cities through August 8.
• Album recorded at Brooklyn’s The Honey Jar with engineer Drew Vandenberg.
• Barnes cites breakup and Brooklyn move as creative catalysts.

Pulse Analysis

Since emerging from the Athens, Georgia scene in the late 1990s, Of Montreal has become a staple of experimental indie pop, known for its genre‑bending arrangements and theatrical storytelling. Kevin Barnes, the project's mastermind, continues that legacy with aethermead, an album that blends synth‑laden melodies with confessional lyricism inspired by his recent breakup and move to Brooklyn. The record’s title references Nethermead, a quiet stretch of Prospect Park where Barnes walks his dog, signaling a shift from rural isolation to urban introspection. Critics anticipate a blend of nostalgic pop sensibility with the band’s signature eccentricity.

The accompanying video for “Already Dreaming” marks a notable family collaboration, as Barnes’ daughter Beatrice takes the director’s chair while still in film school. Drawing on 1960s cinema and surrealist imagery, the clip portrays a fraught couple trapped in a dilapidated house, mirroring the song’s themes of yearning and renewal. This partnership reflects a broader movement in the music industry where artists leverage personal networks to craft authentic visual narratives, offering fans a more intimate glimpse into the creative process. The video’s aesthetic has already generated buzz on social platforms, expanding the single’s reach beyond traditional streaming channels.

To support aethermead, Of Montreal has scheduled a 30‑date North American trek beginning June 19 in Athens, GA, and concluding in August 8 in Birmingham, AL. The itinerary, which includes iconic venues such as New York’s Webster Hall and Chicago’s Thalia Hall, underscores the band’s continued relevance in the live‑music circuit. Partnering with indie label Polyvinyl, the tour is expected to drive album sales and streaming numbers, reinforcing the label’s reputation for nurturing boundary‑pushing acts. For industry observers, the combination of a personal record, a visually striking video, and an aggressive touring schedule signals a strategic push to capture both longtime fans and new listeners in a competitive market.