Sparta have announced a new album titled Cut a Silhouette, set to arrive May 29th via Equal Vision and Dine Alone Records. In advance of its release, the band has unveiled the sing; “Crater,” co-written by My Chemical Romance’s Frank Iero.
The song marries a propulsive post-hardcore emotional catharsis against a somewhat proggy atmospheric backing. The result is a track that feels epic despite its sub-3 minute runtime, recalling similar compact maximalism from frontman Jim Ward’s former band At the Drive-In.
Cut a Silhouette is the band’s sixth studio album. It follows 2020’s Trust the River and 2022’s self-titled album in their most recent run following a 2017 reunion.
Ward stated, “This is a love record. I want it to leave an impression, and at this point in my career, that’s what I yearn for. I’m working so hard to make something meaningful to me, and I really want people to get a chance to feel it as well.”
In addition to two songs co-penned by Iero, the album features a number of guest appearances, including Kemble Walters (touring bassist of Chevelle), pop artist Adrian Borgeois, J. Robbins and Brooks Harlan of Jawbox, and Carlos Arévalo of psychedelic soul act Chicano Batman. J. Robbins also produced the record.
Sparta will hit the road in support of the album, including a June US stint supporting Toadies (pick up tickets here), a headlining Latin American run in August, and a couple dates supporting Jimmy Eat World’s Bleed American 25th anniversary tour in September.
Watch the video for “Crater,” and see the artwork and tracklist for Cut a Silhouette, as well as Sparta’s upcoming tour dates, below.
Cut a Silhouette Artwork:
Cut a Silhouette Track List:
01. Split Lip
02. Crater
03. Mouthbreather
04. Daydream
05. See You Soon
06. Everything You Say
07. Without Your Hands
08. Midnights
09. Mystery of Missing
10. Glimmer
Sparta Tour Dates:
05/03 – El Paso, TX @ Sol Summit Festival
06/05 – Denver, CO @ Ogden Theater *
06/06 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Grand Theatre *
06/07 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory *
06/09 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox *
06/10 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater *
06/12 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore *
06/13 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Belasco *
06/14 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory *
06/16 – San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park *
06/17 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren *
08/14 – Rio de Janeiro, BR @ Casa da Glória
08/15 – São Paulo, BR @ Burning House
08/16 – Buenos Aires, AR @ Club Cultural Bula
08/18 – Santiago, CL @ Club Ambar
08/19 – Lima, PE @ Yield Rock
08/21 – San José, CR @ Amon Solar
08/22 – Mexico City, MX @ Hendrix Bar
09/09 — Austin, TX — Moody Amphitheater ^
09/10 — Irving, TX — The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory ^
* = supporting Toadies
^ = supporting Jimmy Eat World
