The rumors are true: The “rejected” electronic album that Stephen Malkmus has been telling everyone about will see the light of day on March 15th (pre-order it here: http://smarturl.it/groove_denied). But Groove Denied is not a full-blown plunge into EDM or hiptronica. In fact, there aren’t any purely instrumental tracks on the album. Every song is precisely that: a song, featuring Malkmus staples like an artfully askew melody and an oblique lyric. Groove Denied is Stephen playing hooky from his customary way of going about things, jolting himself out of a comfy routine. As Malkmus commented recently in a recent video interview, “It’s kind of funny to mess with stuff you’re not supposed to mess with.”

The first taste of Stephen’s new groove can be sampled today, with the release of single “Viktor Borgia,” and its accompanying video starring Stephen alone in a dance club — until he turns into a digital avatar and dance-battles the digital avatars of a Random Businessman and a pony-tailed pop-star named Ariana.

The title playfully merges the name of the comedian-pianist and the ruthless dynasty of Italo-Spanish nobles. With its stately melody and the almost-English-accented vocal, the coordinates here are early Human League or even Men Without Hats. “Yes, I was thinking things like Pete Shelley’s ‘Homosapien’, the Human League, and DIY synth music circa 1982,” says Stephen, adding “and also about how in the New Wave Eighties, these suburban 18-and-over dance clubs were where all the freaks would meet – a sanctuary.”

Photo by Robbie Augspurger

Stephen will embark on a solo tour, sans Jicks, in May. The newly announced run of dates can be found below – tickets are on sale this Friday at 10am.

Wed May 1 – Toronto ON @ The Great Hall – Tickets

Fri May 3 – Somerville MA @ Arts At The Armory – Tickets

Sat May 4 – Ardmore PA @ Ardmore Music Hall – Tickets

Sun May 5 – Washington DC @ Union Stage – Tickets

Tues May 7 – Austin TX @ 3TEN ACL Live – Tickets

Fri May 10 – Portland OR @ Doug Fir Lounge – Tickets

Sat May 11 – Seattle WA @ Columbia City Theater – Tickets

Tue May 14 – San Francisco CA @ Swedish American Hall – Tickets

Wed May 15 – Los Angeles CA @ Lodge Room – Tickets