Mike D – True Colors
Mike D’s first solo album, “Thank You”, is out August 28 on Capitol, and “True Colors” is the third single from it, following “Switch Up” and “What We Got”. That it exists at all is worth noting: it’s the first full-length of new material from any member of the Beastie Boys since “Hot Sauce Committee Part 2” in 2011, the year before Adam Yauch’s death brought the group to a close. We covered What We Got (W21) when it landed.
The album was built from sessions at Mike D’s home studio, starting with his sons Skyler and Davis, who also back him live as 5D. From there the collaborator list expanded across multiple locations to include Carter Lang, Jared Solomon, Ging, Jason Lader, Eddie Ruscha and Tyran Donaldson. Mixing went to Derek “MixedByAli” Ali; mastering to Nicolas de Porcel; artwork to Can Can Press, Thad Higa and Charles Deroyan. “True Colors” pulls toward psychedelic rock and has Mike D singing rather than rapping.
The lyrics move from concealment and self-delusion through evasion and consequence, arriving at revelation not as something chosen but as something that catches up with you. The chorus lands that way too: exposure more than triumph. Then the coda turns deliberately breezy about the whole thing, which is the most interesting move in the song.
He’s been playing the material live for a while now, including surprise pop-up shows in California and a run of UK dates, and the touring band features Mike D, Skyler, Davis, Eddie Ruscha, Will Graefe and Milo Ruscha. I’ve been curious about this project since “Switch Up” dropped, and “True Colors” doesn’t make the wait feel any longer.
Tracklist:
- Switch Up
- What We Got
- True Colors
- That’s Right
- Secrets Pt. I
- Secrets Pt. II
- I Don’t Care
- Make It Stop
- Crypto
- Here We Are
- Back To Start
- It’s Time
- Thank You
Tour Dates:
Europe:
- Jun. 10 / Berlin, Germany / Saalchen
- Jun. 13 / Porto, Portugal / Primavera Sound Porto
- Jun. 14 / Wicklow, Ireland / Beyond The Pale Festival
- Jun. 16 / Barcelona, Spain / La 2 de Apolo Nitsa
- Jun. 18 / Kortrijk, Belgium / Blender at Bolwerk
- Jun. 19 / Sint-Niklaas, Belgium / De Casino
- Jun. 20 / Paris, France / Beyond The Streets
North America:
- Sept. 26 / San Francisco, CA / Portola Music Festival
