One of Thrill Jockey‘s longest standing bands, the DC-based synth-rock outfit Trans Am is set to add another chapter to their strange and storied career. Thing is prepped for release on April 20, and will be the ninth album the trio has released since their 1996 self-titled debut full-length for Thrill Jockey. In a recent interview about their upcoming release, Trans Am collectively said, “This album isn’t about music at all. It’s about being prepared mentally and physically. It’s about training eight hours a day for the past two years,” concluding their interview with, “Trans Am went through a lot to get here. We can’t worry about the music now. All we can do is bring lots of energy and do all the little things that put us in a good position to come out on top.” Sounds like they organized a boxing match rather than a new record, but Trans Am is usually known for strange approaches. You can check out the artwork and tracklisting for Thing below, along with the dates for their upcoming spring tour.

01. Please Wait
02. Black Matter
03. Naked Singularity
04. Thing
05. Bad Vibes
06. Heaven’s Gate
07. The Silent Star
08. Arcadia
09. Apparent Horizon
10. Interstellar Drift
11. Maximum Yield
12. Space Dock

TOUR DATES
Apr 15 Washington, DC – Rock and Roll Hotel w/Nice Nice
Apr 16 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s w/Nice Nice
Apr 17 New York, NY – Santos Partyhouse w/Nice Nice
Apr 18 Brooklyn, NY – Market Hotel w/Nice Nice
Apr 19 Cambridge, MA – Middle East Downstairs w/Nice Nice
Apr 20 Montreal, QC – La Sala Rossa w/Nice Nice
Apr 21 Toronto, ON – Legendary Horseshoe Tavern w/Nice Nice
Apr 22 Pontiac, MI – Crofoot Ballroom w/Nice Nice
Apr 23 Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle w/Nice Nice
Apr 24 Cincinnati, OH – Northside Tavern w/Nice Nice
May 4 Hamburg, Germany – Hafenklang
May 5 Berlin, Germany – Volksbuhne
May 6 Antwerp, Belgium – Scheld’apen w/Lazer Crystal
May 7 Metz, France – Les Trinitaires w/Lazer Crystal
May 8 Brussels, Belgium – Les Nuits du Botaniques Festival
May 9 Tilburg, Netherlands – 013 w/Lazer Crystal
May 10 Utrecht, Netherlands – DB’s w/Lazer Crystal
May 11 London, UK – Corsica Studios w/Lazer Crystal
May 14 Lille, France – L’Aeronef w/Lazer Crystal
May 18 Paris, France – La Maroquinerie w/Lazer Crystal
May 21 Brest, France – Sonore Festival
May 23 Kortrijk, Belgium – Sixen Festival w/The Psychic Paramount
May 24 Colmar, France – Le Grillen w/The Psychic Paramount
May 25 Zurich, Switzerland – Exil w/The Psychic Paramount
May 26 Geneva, Switzerland – Le Kab w/The Psychic Paramoun