New alt-J Single “3WW” Finds New Language For Love

alt-j review 3ww

by Kelley Lin

Breakthrough English indie rock band, alt-J, is back with a new, incredibly intricate single titled “3WW.” It is the first single off their upcoming third studio album, Relaxer.

The song title, “3WW,” stands for the uttered phrase “3 worn words,” with which lead singer Joe Newman sings about love and intimacy on the English countryside. Featuring supporting vocals from alt-J keyboardist Gus Unger-Hamilton, as well as Ellie Rowsell of Wolf Alice. Rowsell’s gentle voice sews perfectly into the bridge, singing “Love is just a button we pressed / Last night by the campfire.” The words in the song itself are chilling, but Newman and Rowsell’s voices hold each other closely, whispering words so warm and tempered with love: “I just want to love you in my own language.”

It has the same alt-J feel, with outstandingly atypical bass pulses and unworldly vocals that sound like a million separate songs placed together on one measure of music. Like every piece of music created by the band, the track is meticulous and irreproducible.

You can stream alt-J’s new single, “3WW” on below before it appears on the band’s next full album, Relaxer, out June 9.