Stream Shamir’s Surprise New Album Hope

Shamir has shared a free-to-download album titled Hope online. The artist, who released his 2015 debut Ratchet via XL Recordings, said in a note accompanying the album that it was all recorded this past weekend, "stuck in my room with just a 4 track feeling hopeless about my love for music."

The note begins with Shamir's declaration that he nearly quit music entirely before deciding to record the album. He adds that he played, wrote, produced, and mixed everything on Hope. Unlike the house-influened pop sound of his debut, Shamir is taking his falsetto and singing over a more lo-fi/ alternative rock sound. The ten-track album includes a cover of Blake Babies song "Rain." Check it out below alongside the message. You can download the whole thing here.

"I was gonna quit music this weekend. From day one it was clear I was an accidental pop star. I loved the idea of it, i mean who doesn't? Still the wear of staying polished with how I'm presented and how my music was presented took a huge toll on me, mentally. I started to hate music, the thing I loved the most! When I would listen to immaculate recordings with my friends, their praise over the quality of the art as opposed to the art itself made me feel really sad for music as a medium in general. My music only feels exciting for me if it's in the moment, and that's what this album is. I made this album this past weekend stuck in my room with just a four track feeling hopeless about my love for music. I'm not gonna lie, this album is hard to listen to, but it was even harder for me to share. I love pop music, I love outsider music, and I love lo-fi music, this is my way of combining all three. Anyway I played, wrote, produced, and mixed everything and big thanks to Kieran Ferris for mastering an album with an hours notice! It's free! Enjoy! Love Y'all! Still more 2 come!"