The Avalanches Team Up With Karen O For New Single 'Blue Shadows’

'Blue Shadows', a collaboration with Yeah Yeah Yeahs Karen O, is the latest taste of The Avalanches' upcoming new album.

Following the singles ‘Every Single Weekend’ with Jamie xx and ‘Together’ with Nikki Nair, Jessy Lanza and Prentiss, 'Blue Shadows' is a quirky two minutes and 40 seconds of low-key experimental electronica that makes great use of Karen's familiar vocals.

"'Blue Shadows' was an idea of Andy’s that was almost lost to time until Tony stumbled across it in an old folder and began championing it as a potential album song," explains Robbie Chater, one half of The Avalanches. "It’s since become one of my favourite Avalanches tunes. Many moons later and thanks to the kindness of Claudio Casalini and the estate of Celso Valli, it looked like Tony’s dream for Blue Shadows might come true.

"I included it in a selection of song ideas for Karen, we wanted her to hear it, although I never imagined a vocal would be possible; the demo had such a peculiar, singular mood. What she recorded still amazes me after months of listening, it’s so achingly forlorn and somehow sounds as if it always existed as a song. I don’t know how that is possible, or what she was channelling, some people just have access to a higher plane, I suppose!"

Karen O adds, "When Robbie sent me Blue Shadows I jumped at the chance to collaborate. The Avalanches' last record We Will Always Love You was a gift to humanity in 2020, and I’ll count it as one of my Top 10 forever. The Avalanches frequency is high, I’m so happy to be asked to slide into it."

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Comprising Robbie Chater, Tony Di Blasi and Andy Szekeres, The Avalanches are regarded as one of Australia's great electronic acts, gifting the world the classic 2000 album, Since I Left You.

The Avalanches’ Since I Left You took sampling to a new level in the 21st century. The album has sold over 1 million copies worldwide and garnered over 700 million streams.

After a long wait between drinks, The Avalanches returned with two more acclaimed LPs, Wildflower (2016) and We Will Always Love You (2020).

Having recently performed at Primavera Sound Barcelona and announced a run of DJ sets across Europe, hopes are high that The Avalanches will announce a world tour in the lead-up to their fourth LP.

‘Blue Shadows’ by The Avalanches ft. Karen O is out now. Listen here.