Philly-based, indie bedroom-pop artist Shamir announced his ninth album, Homo Anxietatem, and first with the legendary Kill Rock Stars label. The record’s first single “Oversized Sweater” is out now with a music video of the artist in his colorful bedroom covered with posters, magazine covers, and vintage memorabilia.
In “Oversized Sweater,” Shamir sweetly reflects on his own social anxiety. His anxious brain worries love won’t last, but his more rational side knows some relationships “last a week, last a month or last a lifetime.” Writing this song, and knitting the referenced sweater, was a healing process for Shamir, who in early 2020 was recovering from a stay in the psych ward. “[The sweater] is basically a wearable security blanket that I used to channel all my anxiety into. I wear it all the time, but most notably in the video for my song ‘Diet.’”
Here at XPN, we last saw Shamir at Union Transfer in May opening for Le Tigre, and he’s also shared the stage with Courtney Barnett, Lucy Dacus, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and more. Shamir’s next Philadelphia show is at Rigby Mansion in Germantown for the local Sweet Juice Festival. The pop artist headlines the bill next to American Trappist, Brittany Ann Tranbaugh, and XPN Artist to Watch Samantha Rise. Get your tickets using the WXPN Concerts and Events page. And stay tuned to more from Homo Anxietatem, out August 18th.