System of a Down’s artist and activist Serj Tankian, will release a new five song EP titled Perplex Cities on Oct. 21 via his own Serjical Strike label. Perplex Cities is his second EP in the last couple of years, following his 2021 release of the hard-hitting Elasticity EP. Before reaching the music streaming platforms next month, each track off the EP will be made available via a free augmented reality experience featuring Tankian presenting the five tracks himself in an intimate fashion. Via the app he will be appearing in the same space as the listener-viewer to explain the music and listen along. The first such immersive experience is available now, with the release of “Pop Imperialism” via the Arloopa app. Check it out here.
https://arloopa.com/experiences/33748
Pre-save the EP here:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/serjtankian/perplex-cities
In his words, “This whole collection of songs within Perplex Cities is a completely different sound than what I’ve done before. More electronic, subtle and deeper in terms of its layers of presentation musically. Perplex Cities gives off an aura that is unique and unlike my previous releases”.
Before reaching the music streaming platforms next month, each track off the EP will be made available via a free augmented reality experience featuring Tankian presenting the five tracks himself in an intimate fashion. Via the app he will be appearing in the same space as the listener-viewer to explain the music and listen along.
Over the course of the next four weeks, the remaining 4 songs from Perplex Cities will be made available in the same fashion, with each track being released successively after another. The full EP will be available on all major streaming platforms thereafter, on Oct. 21.
“I’m always trying to create new and interesting ways to connect with people via my music. We made some amazing videos for the last EP Elasticity, so I wanted to try something different for Perplex Cities. I love the idea of appearing in the room with someone listening to my music. It’s intimate, fun, and different.”
Perplex Cities tracklist:
Pop Imperialism
The Race
I Spoke Up
Rumi Loves His Cars
Forgive Me Father
Photo credit: Travis Shinn
For those interested in his musically composed art, Tankian will be debuting new paintings at Stephanie’s Gallery in the Los Angeles area beginning Oct. 9. The exhibition is titled “Shapeshift – a dynamic dive into diversity” and extends through Nov. 1. As with his previous artworks, each of these new paintings will be accompanied by a musical score that corresponds with the paint on canvas and made accessible via the same Arloopa app.
On April 29 of next year, fans of Tankian will also be treated to a unique concert with the debut of “Invocations” at The Soraya in Northridge. Composed and performed by Serj, these new works are symphonic, operatic, emotive and will bring the CSUN Symphony, ethnic instrumentalists and a variety of diverse vocalists including Tankian together on stage with a choir for this very special evening of live musical performance. Tickets for this concert are available HERE.
Follow Serj Tankian;
https://www.instagram.com/serjtankian
https://www.youtube.com/serjtankian
https://www.facebook.com/serjtankian
https://www.twitter.com/serjtankian