Flea has reunited with his Atoms for Peace bandmate Thom Yorke for the new single ‘Tragic Lights’. Yorke contributes vocals, piano, and synth on the cozily buzzing track, which accompanies the news that Flea’s debut solo album, Honora, will be out March 27 on Nonesuch. Check it out and find the LP’s cover and tracklist below.
“Deantoni and I played what became ‘Traffic Lights’ the first day,” Flea said in a statement. “Something about it reminded me of Atoms for Peace, so I sent it to Thom. Just knowing him, I thought it would be a rhythm and a sensibility that he would relate to. And I was right, he did. With a gorgeous melody and the words, you know, about living in the ‘upside down’ and how do you make sense of things when we’re getting all this fake shit and real shit? Everyone has their ways of dealing with the world. But he’s just the warmest, free flowing, jamming motherf*cker.”
Flea composed and arranged the music on Honora, playing trumpet and bass throughout. He’s joined by producer and saxophonist Josh Johnson, guitarist Jeff Parker, bassist Anna Butterss, and drummer Deantoni Parks, with contributions from Mauro Refosco (David Byrne, Atoms for Peace) and Nate Walcott (Bright Eyes). In addition to Thom Yorke, Nick Cave also guests on the album, which features six original songs as well as interpretations of tunes by George Clinton and Eddie Hazel, Jimmy Webb, Frank Ocean and Shea Taylor, and Ann Ronell.
According to a press release, Flea worried that the assembled musicians would think he was “a non-playing motherf*cker, charlatan, rock poseur or fan.” But, he added, “It turns out they were all the most genuinely supportive people, moving me deeply and daily with their generous spirits…Sitting in a room and playing the music with them made me feel like I was on drugs. I was buzzing, tripping and floating around the studio. I love them, they truly gave of themselves. I bow all the way down.”
Honora Cover Artwork:
Honora Tracklist:
1. Golden Wingship
2. A Plea
3. Traffic Lights
4. Frailed
5. Morning Cry
6. Maggot Brain
7. Wichita Lineman
8. Thinkin Bout You
9. Willow Weep for Me
10. Free As I Want to Be
