Alt-country singer-songwriter MJ Lenderman released a vulnerable new single and accompanying video “Joker Lips” this week. The second single from his upcoming album Manning Fireworks, the track follows last month’s release of “She’s Leaving You”.
Playing alongside SoCal indie group The Wind, the video for “Joker Lips” shows Lenderman in a field with overgrown plants closing in around them and fireworks in the distance. With brutally honest lyrics and MJ’s deadpan vocal style, “Joker Lips” is a look behind the smiling mask. “Please don’t laugh, only half of what I said was a joke,” Lenderman sings, later on repeating, “all I really wanna see is see you need me”.
MJ Lenderman and The Wind will be going on tour to support Manning Fireworks. The album was recorded at Drop of Sun Studios with Lenderman playing almost all instruments heard. Manning Fireworks drops September 6th on ANTI- and can be pre-ordered here. MJ Lenderman comes to Union Transfer with Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band on October 24th, details can be found at the XPN Concert Calendar. Watch the “Joker Lips” video and check out MJ’s tour information below.