159. Matt Johnson Discusses The The, Ensoulment

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Matt Johnson, the singer, songwriter and musician behind the post-punk band The The, visits YMAAA to talk about the first The The album in 24 years, Ensoulment. Matt talks about why he decided to write and record a The The album after spending the better part of two decades away from the project. He talks about what distinguished the process of making Ensoulment, which will be available on Sept. 6, and delves into the songwriting process for the album’s first two singles, “Cognitive Dissident” and “Linoleum Smooth to the Stockinged Foot.” Matt also talks about the album that he has probably listened to more often than any other, and what makes it a special album for him.

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1:17 Matt joins the show

1:29 Matt talks about what it was like to record a The The album for the first time in more than 20 years

4:35 Matt explains why he decided to make a full album

7:22 Matt discusses how a surgery he underwent inspired one of his new songs

13:24 Matt talks about what he did to give Ensoulment a cohesive feel

17:25 The themes of Ensoulment pertain to both the timely and the timeless

21:48 Matt explains the process for writing “Cognitive Dissident”

24:42 Matt talks about the album he has probably listened to more than any other

Outro music is from “Cognitive Dissident” by The The.

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