Lake Street Dive has officially shared the title track and a music video for their upcoming album, What About Flamingos? The song and visual arrived alongside pre-orders for the full length record, which is available on CD and on vinyl, in a standard black pressing or a limited edition red one. The album is due February 19 and is the band’s next studio record and the first release on its own label, Dive Not Dive Records.

A Song Sparked by Brian Eno

According to bassist Bridget Kearney, the title track is a stream of consciousness meditation on the gratitude of existence and the magic of being alive. Those themes, she says, run through the entire record. The idea was inspired by an interview with the English musician and producer Brian Eno, who described how his daily inspiration comes from the realization that Earth is the only place in the universe known to support life. That thought pushed the band to write a lyrical inventory of earthly wonders, including flamingos, ice cream, beach landscapes, and the Beatles, that may never exist anywhere else in the cosmos. As for the title, Kearney explains that “what about flamingos” was simply the first thing that came to mind in a stream of consciousness.

Recorded Live in a Room Together

The album was made in two studios with two producers. Philip Weinrobe, known for his work with Adrianne Lenker, Big Thief, and Cass McCombs, oversaw sessions at Spillway Sounds in West Hurley, New York, and Jonathan Wilson, whose credits include Father John Misty, Angel Olsen, Dawes, and Margo Price, worked with the band at Five Star Studios in Topanga Canyon, Los Angeles. It was also the first time the musicians recorded live together in one room, with a goal of capturing music that is human and alive and perfect in its imperfection.

The twelve song track list opens with “Back in Time” and “You’re Never Around” and includes “Gertrude,” featuring the Huntertones, along with “My Own Damn Way,” “Vegas Mattress,” the title track, “Baby Talk,” “All Ways,” “Fences,” “What You’re Even Talking About,” “One Job,” and closing with “It’s Getting Late.”

Where to Listen and Watch

The title track is streaming now on Spotify, YouTube Music, Deezer, iHeartRadio, and Amazon Music. The official video and the pre-order are available at the band’s site, LakeStreetDive.com.