Today, singer-songwriter, producer and SUSTO co-founder Johnny Delaware shares “Incógnita,” the next offering from his forthcoming third album Para Llevar, out November 1 via Normaltown Records / New West Records. “Incógnita,” which translates to “unknown” or “mystery,” unfolds as a rhythmic instrumental over Spanish guitar and is inspired by Delaware’s time in Mexico. Holler recently featured the new song, calling it “a warm light flickering gently in the darkness.”
Watch the Official Video for “Incógnita”
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Delaware on the new single: “‘Incógnita’ was recorded on the beach in the hotel my girlfriend operates in Mexico. I placed the mic on a table in the hostel area and did my thing with the nylon guitar sitting around. It was a fun song to track! There was no metronome or anything to this, which gives the push-and-pull, natural feeling. I later overdubbed the bass and slide guitar parts in Mexico City. It's a mysterious-sounding song, so I thought the title ‘Incógnita’ was fitting.”
“Incógnita” follows the “C&W-flavored” (Magnet Magazine) ode to long-distance love “Never Let Go” and the hazy “Running,” which meditates on the desire to escape one’s past. On Para Llevar, Delaware draws inspiration from his years of journeying, both physically and introspectively, blending elements of Laurel Canyon and Latin America with dreamy, psychedelic production. He self-produced the record in addition to playing nearly all of the instruments, and the lyrics are rooted in perpetual motion, in an endless search for purpose and connection. The result is an intoxicating meditation on the hope, fear, love and loneliness that bind us all, no matter where we call home.
Para Llevar is the follow-up to Delaware’s 2022 album Energy of Light, which was made when he relocated to Mexico City after falling in love with its people, art and culture. Since then, he’s continued bouncing back and forth across the border while working on Para Llevar. In addition to his respected solo work, Delaware is a co-founder of the bands The Artisanals and SUSTO, the latter of which has garnered raves from press including Rolling Stone and SPIN as well as toured with the likes of The Lumineers, Band of Horses, and The Head and the Heart.
This fall, Delaware will bring his new music to audiences on a headlining tour with stops in Nashville, Chicago, New York and other cities. See below for a full list of dates and find more information here.
Johnny Delaware 2024 Tour Dates:
November 12 – Athens, GA @ The Lab at Cine
November 13 – Atlanta, GA @ Vinyl - Center Stage
November 14 – Nashville, TN @ The Vinyl Lounge
November 15 – Lawrenceburg, IN @ Liberty Theater
November 16 – Chicago, IL @ Judson and Moore
November 19 – Des Moines, IA @ xBk
November 20 – Columbus, OH @ Natalie's Grandview
November 21 – Brevard, NC @ 185 King Street
November 22 – Charleston, SC @ Royal American
November 24 – Mobile, AL @ Callaghan's
December 1 – Vienna, VA @ Jammin Java
December 3 – New York, NY @ TV Eye
December 7 – Davenport, IA @ Raccoon Motel
December 8 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
December 10 – Ann Arbor, MI @ The Ark
Para Llevar Tracklist:
1. Jungle Full of Ghosts
2. Running
3. Sad Song
4. Stubborn Faith
5. Caution Darlin’
6. Incógnita
7. You Alone (Are the Revolution)
8. Darkness
9. Never Let Go
10. Mexico City Blues
