Thundercat has shared a groove-driven new track called ‘She Knows Too Much’ which features the late Mac Miller.
The new single comes as the latest to be shared from the bassist and singer’s first new album in six years, ‘Distracted’. It will be Thundercat’s fifth studio record, and is set to arrive via Brainfeeder on April 3. Visit here to pre-order.
Thundercat first announced the record last month with the R&B influenced lead single ‘I Did This To Myself ft. Lil Yachty’. Now, he has dropped a second taster of the LP called ‘She Knows Too Much’.
The song is a bittersweet release, as it features vocals from the late Mac Miller, who was a close friend and collaborator of Thundercat. To record the song, which the two of them started before Miller’s passing in 2018, Thundercat sought permission from the late star’s estate.
He finished the track with help of producer Greg Kurstin, and the finished product showcases captivating basslines and falsetto vocals from Thundercat, and the same carefree feel that first put Miller on the map.
“I’m grateful to have spent my time on this planet with Mac,” the artist said. “What an artist,what a spirit, what a joy to have experienced.” Check it out below.
The song comes with a video directed by Léa Esmaili and produced by Blinkink, which is fully animated and looks to capture the strong bond the two artists had.
“First of all, making this music video is a huge honour, as I grew up with these two artists and have admired their universe since I was a teenager,” Esmaili said. “I wanted to create, within a single video, a fun animated moment by mixing styles either it’s 2D animation or 3D. Beyond that, I wanted to build a burlesque narrative around two friends who spend a completely crazy day together, tied to their friendship and to anime of this kind.”
‘Distracted’ also sees Thundercat enlist Flying Lotus, Kenny Beats (Kenneth Blume), and The Lemon Twigs for additional production. As well as Mac Miller and Lil Yachty, other collaborations on the record come from A$AP Rocky, WILLOW, Tame Impala, and Channel Tres.
The album centres around the tension between overstimulation and introspection, and the sound is expected to sit between the feeling of heartbreak in ‘It Is What It Is’ and the social commentary on ‘Drunk’.
“Sometimes you need to be distracted to focus in a different way,” Thundercat said. “Just enjoy it and have fun, and just know that the struggle is real and changes shape, but just to keep pushing forward.”
The album marks the follow-up to 2020 record ‘It Is What It Is’, which took home Best Progressive R&B Album at the 63rd Grammys.
Since then, the musician has worked on collaborations with A$AP Rocky, Tame Impala, Gorillaz, Silk Sonic, Kaytranada, and Justice, and also ventured into the acting world with a role in Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett.
The artist has also got a UK and European tour coming up, which kicks off in March and includes a slot at the O2 Academy Brixton in London on March 25. Visit here for tickets.
As for Miller, the rapper died aged 26 back in 2018. His family shared a statement at the time which read: “Malcolm McCormick, known and adored by fans as Mac Miller, has tragically passed away at the age of 26,. He was a bright light in this world for his family, friends and fans. Thank you for your prayers. Please respect our privacy.”
Among the famous faces to pay tribute to him included Drake, Elton John, Childish Gambino and Snoop Dogg.