UK electronic duo Darkstar are releasing their new album Civic Jams at the end of the week. “This was all planned to go out into a world that wasn’t going through a pandemic,” they write in a statement. “We don’t know what we feel about releasing music in this climate to be frank. Everything we tried to touch on with regards to tangible space and shared moments on the record seems like we were concerned about a luxury we didn’t know could be reduced further.”

“We’ve tried to look at the juxtaposition of being comfortable in an often claustrophobic era of unrest both politically and culturally,” they continue. “Tangible space is where this album focuses—it’s about having the last warning on a tax bill and going to a rave. It’s resigned to having a drink while Brexit blares out in the background. Being able to enjoy the sun while another 0845 number rings out on your mobile for god knows what. We wanted to look at singling out those moments when you balance the everyday fuckery you find yourself in with being in a place or a community that resonates with you and eases the burden.”

Today Darkstar are sharing new track “Text,” a shadowy, atmospheric electronic pop song with a shadowy, atmospheric video. “Living next to Aiden and briefly in the same flat with James, I was particularly inspired by the relationship between the two of them,” explains director Alex Shilt. “I aimed to create an abstracted visual dialogue that embodied their brothership and love for their families through the various personal clips they’ve sent me. We worked together in exploring various looks inspired by modern communication tools & tactile graphics to harmonize a visual language that fit with the tune.” Watch and listen below.

Civic Jams is out this Friday, 6/19, via Warp. Pre-order it here.