Dan Friel creates intense, colourful and intricate instrumentals that, for all their complexity, are melodic pop songs. Equally at home in the DIY scene and the contemporary art world, Friel has been at the forefront of a movement of musicians who create dance music with a clear affinity for the extremes of noise and metal, eschewing the traditional dance clubs and adhering to the ethics of the underground.

On his second Thrill Jockey album ‘Life’, Friel uses his surprisingly small arsenal of gear to distort and manoeuvre his beloved Yamaha Portasound into an expansive sound that is incredibly varied in tone and texture. This toy keyboard, his first instrument, is manipulated beyond recognition to create songs that are frenzied and epic.

‘Life’ also has moments that are incredibly sweet, idyllic, and fragile – sentiments that make perfect sense coming from a new father whose instrument of choice is his childhood keyboard.

All throughout ‘Life’, Friel exploits his intentionally simple set-up to ever surprising effect, using simple electronics to mirror the sounds of guitars, drums and harmonicas. It is an irresistible and genrebending collection of underground anthems.

‘Life’ was written and recorded by Friel at his home studios in Brooklyn and was mixed by Jonathan Schenke (Parquet Courts, Liturgy).

‘Life’ is Friel’s sophomore Thrill Jockey release following ‘Total Folklore’.

LP version includes free download coupon.

Friel will embark on a full European tour with Lightning Bolt.

“Punchy instrumentals instilled with the raw energy of punk” – Pitchfork

“Full of technicolor chirp, sugar-rush whoosh, and a bucket of adrenaline” – Stereogum

“A merry onslaught” – New York Times

“It’s pretty much bottled raw power” – Tom Ravenscroft, BBC

“Fucking great” – Kurt Braunohler