GRAMMY-nominated musician and multi-instrumentalist Michael Shuman is GLU. The Queens of the Stone Age bassist and frontman of Mini Mansions is showing another side of himself with his independent debut EP, MY DEMONS, which is out NOW. PRESS HERE to listen.
GLU’s genesis was rooted in honesty, creativity, and the desire not just to exist but to exist deeply, and with no major concentration of genre aside from melding them, he unravels ribbons of rhyme and musicianship that are introspective and engaging.
“For me, MY DEMONS was about being on my own terms; having my own momentum,” says Shuman. “This is something that is different because I do come from punk rock, but I’m doing this… so it’s not going to sound like your typical DJ or Hip-Hop producer. I want it to feel fresh, and that’s the most exciting thing for me.”
Self-produced and mastered by Dale Becker (Doja Cat, Khalid), the MY DEMONS EP as a whole is a look into the late nights, solitude, and the existential crisis that come with surviving alone through a pandemic. Taking influence from Depeche Mode, Gorillaz, Twenty One Pilots, Mac Miller, the back and forth of the artist’s soft soundscapes lead way to catchy lyrics touching on relatable subjects of struggle, loss, addiction and trauma.
The first single COLD SWEAT is a smooth ride through iridescent and relaxing waters while second single NIGHT SHIFT highlights the impending doom we feel, generated by the current state of our world. The EP’s title track (featuring Phantogram’s Sarah Barthel) explores how childhood traumas continue to seep into adult life. Emotional explosions emerge in a realm of lo-fi hip-hop with upbeat, poppy moments while the recently released coinciding video turns heads with a steamy, latex-laden Barthel symbolizing the demons that dominate GLU’s thoughts as he raps satirically through a leather ball gag – PRESS HERE to watch and HERE to listen.
MOONWALKIN slides effortlessly into the rest of the EP, keeping things serene and slightly romantic, while EP closer FUCKED WITH MY DEMONS was produced with the desire for a 90’s hip hop single remix. The song is an exhilarating mash-up of MY DEMONS and COLD SWEAT and again includes guest vocalist Sarah Barthel.
Recently wrapping a tour in the U.S. supporting Phantogram and a run of successful solo dates in the U.K., GLU will have more announcements in the coming weeks so stay tuned!
MY DEMONS Track Listing:
MY DEMONS ft. Sarah Barthel of Phantogram
COLD SWEAT
NIGHT SHIFT
MOONWALKIN’
FUCKED WITH MY DEMONS
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