Courtney Barnett Shares Two New Singles, ‘Mantis’ and ‘Sugar Plum’

Both tracks are taken from Courtney Barnett’s upcoming solo album, Creature of Habit.

Image Lindsey Byrnes

Following the release of last year’s ‘Stay in Your Lane’ and this year’s ‘Site Unseen’, LA-based Aussie Courtney Barnett has shared two more singles from her upcoming fourth solo studio album, Creature of Habit, out Friday 27 March via Mom+Pop (pre-order/pre-save here).

The double single features the urgent ‘Mantis’ and driving ‘Sugar Plum’, with the former inspired by an encounter with a praying mantis. “Mantis is the microcosmic centrepiece of this album,” Barnett explains, “it embodies the message and meaning of every track. It’s a song about searching, and it helped me find my way through Creature Of Habit.

“I was feeling particularly lost while I was working on this song. One day, I was standing in the kitchen, making a coffee, when I noticed a little green praying mantis sitting on top of the doorframe. I took it as an important sign from the universe. I texted a photo to Stella and she said it’s good luck, look it up!

“I did a quick search and found it to also represent patience, perseverance and a guide for those who needed direction. I stood and spoke to the mantis for a while, it was a strange and enlightening moment that I’ll never forget. Eventually, I got back to writing, and finally I had the chorus to this song.”

Barnett’s upcoming album Creature of Habit is her first solo record since 2021s critically acclaimed Things Take Time, Take Time. The ten-track release is inspired by Barnett’s move from Melbourne to Los Angeles.

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One of Australia’s most successful artists of the past 15 years, Creature of Habit marks the next phase in Courtney Barnett’s career.

After receiving critical praise for her 2015 debut album, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, Barnett followed up with two more solo albums – Tell Me How You Really Feel (2018) and Things Take Time, Take Time (2021).

She’s also released a collaborative record with Kurt Vile called Lotta Sea Live and a 2023 instrumental album End of the Day, which acts as the soundtrack for the movie of the same name.

‘Mantis’ and ‘Sugar Plum’ by Courtney Barnett are out now. Listen here. Creature of Habit arrives Friday 27 March via Mom+Pop. Pre-order/pre-save here. Check out the album artwork and tracklisting below.

Creature of Habit

1. Stay in Your Lane

2. Wonder

3. Site Unseen [ft. Waxahatchee]

4. Mostly Patient

5. One Thing at a Time

6. Mantis

7. Sugar Plum

8. Same

9. Great Advice

10. Another Beautiful Day

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