Legendary composer/director John Carpenter has returned with his first non-soundtrack music since 2016’s Lost Themes II. Collaborating again with son Cody Carpenter and godson Daniel Davies, his bandmates and co-composers for the David Gordon Green-directed Halloween films, Carpenter has shared the propulsive new single ‘Skeleton’ and its B-side, the haunting ‘Unclean Spirit’. Both songs are available digitally now and will be released as a deluxe limited-edition 12" with art by Chris Bilheimer on August 28 via Sacred Bones.

The sessions for these songs saw the trio shifting their focus from scoring for the screen and engaging a totally different creative muscle. “It was refreshing to be able to write music that didn’t have to fit to any sort of locked image,” John said. “We also had a specific focus and direction we wanted to follow when working on Halloween, both in terms of mindset and instruments, and being able to return to working without that narrow focus was refreshing. Although working on Halloween didn’t specifically influence any of these new compositions, there is always a honing of craft that must take place when working on a film like Halloween, and our improved skills definitely helped us in writing these songs.”

‘Skeleton’ and ‘Unclean Spirit’ are the first taste of a batch of new music that will eventually yield a Lost Themes III, and with the composers hard at work on the music for Blumhouse’s Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends, there is plenty more music to come. Even for the famously prolific John Carpenter, this might be the most fertile creative period of his life.

Double Grammy Award-winner Fantastic Negrito has shared his new single, ‘I’m So Happy I Cry’, the latest track to be taken from his hugely anticipated new album, Have You Lost Your Mind Yet?, which is out August 14 via Cooking Vinyl/Blackball Universe.

The track – which features powerhouse vocals from Tarriona ‘Tank’ Ball of New Orleans’ Tank and the Bangas – is joined by an equally colourful companion video, streaming now at the official Fantastic Negrito YouTube channel.

Ball said of the song: “‘I’m So Happy I Cry’ to me is about being so overjoyed when change finally comes from living a life of constant fear and survival. It’s the truest testament in believing not only is change gonna come, but it is here."

“I was really inspired to write ‘I’m So Happy I Cry’ the day after reading of Juice WRLD’s death,” Negrito says. “There are so many young artists suffering from what I perceive as mental illness. Imagine having everything you want in the world and still feeling the need to medicate until it kills you. There is something very sick -- and tragic -- about that.

“I mention them because this current movie that’s on repeat, I’ve seen it before, I’ve been in it, and I want to speak out. I want to warn them that they are surrounded by people and companies who profit from the destruction of their mind, bodies, souls and ultimately their community. I’m a middle-aged guy. I have small children, so I try to be very careful about what I’m putting out into the universe. If I feel like I have some experience or wisdom on an issue, I try to make a contribution.

“Working with Tank was such a joy,” Negrito adds. “She is a powerful, dynamic artist, and we made a little bit of history together. It was the first time that two Tiny Desk winners collaborated on a song. I think it really gives validation to how important Bob Boilen and the NPR Tiny Desk Contest are. None of this would have happened without them.”

Have You Lost Your Mind Yet? arrives everywhere via Cooking Vinyl and the artist’s own Blackball Universe on Friday, August 14.

TRACKLISTING

Chocolate Samurai

I’m So Happy I Cry

How Long?

Shigamabu Blues

Searching For Captain Save A Hoe

Your Sex Is Overrated

These Are My Friends

All Up In My Space

Justice In America

King Frustration

Platypus Dipster