Lael Neale has shared details of her forthcoming new album Altogether Stranger, out May 2nd, 2025 worldwide on Sub Pop. A highlight of the nine-song LP is its unexpected breadth of musical and lyrical terrain – from garage rock nursery rhymes and creation myths to Motorik dance dirges and solitary Omnichord meditations. The album is her third collaboration with producer Guy Blakeslee, who also helped to create the ‘Lost Tapes’ home recordings of Acquainted with Night, and whose raw production continued with 2023’s Star Eaters Delight.
For her third album, Blakeslee once again helps expand the tonal palette while staying true to Neale’s commitment to the raw immediacy and hand-made intimacy of home recording. Altogether Stranger was conceived after three years of oscillating between rural solitude and urban chaos. Neale explains: “On returning to Los Angeles I felt like an extraterrestrial landing on a dystopian planet so I’m writing from the perspective of a being from another realm witnessing the peculiarities of humanity.”
Watch the accompanying self-directed video for the album’s centrepiece Tell Me How To Be Here, described as a stark and haunting portrait of Neale’s return to LA after three years living in rural Virginia.
The video was filmed by Neale and Blakeslee in Los Angeles.
Lael Neale will support Altogether Stranger with headlining spring tour dates for April and May 2025.
Lael Neale UK & IE Tour Dates
Sat. May 10 – Dublin, IE – Workman’s Cellar
Sun. May 11 – Belfast, UK – McHughs
Tue. May 27 – Bristol, UK – The Louisiana
Wed. May 28 – London, UK – Omeara
Thu. May 29 – Manchester, UK – YES Basement
Fri. May 30 – Newcastle, UK – Cumberland Arms
Sat. May 31 – Glasgow, UK – Hug & Pint
Full Dates and Tickets: https://laelneale.com/shows
Pre-Order Altogether Stranger: https://music.subpop.com/laelneale_altogetherstranger