TRACK PREMIERE: Divided Heaven feat. Guise – Creep

TRACK PREMIERE: Divided Heaven feat. Guise - Creep
Credit: Sarah Berman

Jeff Berman has not made it easy on himself. For the past 12 years, the DIVIDED HEAVEN frontman has tried relentlessly to buck the typical singer-songwriter mould with his unique writing style and career path. The new DIVIDED HEAVEN album, Oblivion, out February 4th on A-F Records (US) and Gunner Records (EU), blazes that ambition forward with a bang, a dash of weird, a pinch of Satanism, and a heavy dose of sex and politics resulting in an unapologetic and provocative DIVIDED HEAVEN album like none before.

“I had to write a record that matched the times: delicate to chaotic, heartfelt to dirty,” says Berman. “Before, I would’ve shied away from topics such as sexual assault and victim-blaming but this time I called out the disgusting misogyny (in the track ‘Reckoning’) and threw shade at the abusers in our music scene (in the track ‘Creep’). Before, I might’ve tried to portray some semblance of decency about my fellow citizenry; this time I lament that goodness and kindness are losing the culture war (in the track ‘Panic’) and trolling is rewarded over intelligence (in the track ‘Burn Me’).” Oblivion is the most ambitious DIVIDED HEAVEN album yet, as Berman states, “I landed at the geographic musical midpoint of my heart: directly between (Carole King’s) Tapestry and (Motley Crue’s) Shout At The Devil. Odd as that may sound, that helped guide my attempt to combine sensibility with attitude and helped me shift from Americana to overdrive rock.”

Over two years, Berman enlisted four different producers to create a diverse vibe across the 10 tracks on Oblivion. Once again working with longtime producer Charlie Stavish (who most notably worked with Jenny Lewis, Vacation Manor and produced the lead single from Oblivion, the politically scorching ‘They Poisoned Our Fathers’ which features the incomparable Lydia Loveless), Berman also worked with UK-Singer-Songwriter juggernaut Frank Turner, whose production brought a whole new power to a DIVIDED HEAVEN album.

In addition, Berman recorded three tracks for the album in Antwerp, Belgium with producer Tim van Doorn (longtime producer for Joe McMahon and Tim Vantol) who brought out the most graceful songs of Berman’s career, including the second single ‘Baby in the Band’. Lastly, pop producer Mike Biancaniello (who has notably worked with 5 Seconds of Summer) highlighted a new vivid hue to Berman’s songwriting to round out the album.

Either solo or with the band in tow, DIVIDED HEAVEN are equally proper on festival stages at Punk Rock Bowling, SXSW and the FEST as they are in the seated listening-rooms of Hotel Cafe and the Ramones Museum and has shared stages with Dave Hause, Matze Rossi, Anti-Flag, Ryoko, Spanish Love Songs, Slingshot Dakota, Jared Hart, The Flatliners, Sundowner, Tiny Stills and many more.

Jeff Berman: “In a diplomatic attempt to not get sued I will say that “Creep” is about people in our record collections and scenes; pathetic excuses for ‘men’ that get-off on (and get away with) predatory behavior by victim blaming and relying on the power of their band’s popularity. Beyond that, I was ecstatic to have Frank Turner at the production helm again. Frank and I really turned this one upside down and landed on a sample-heavy singalong unlike anything else in the Divided Heaven canon. Having the amazing Jess Guise really push her voice to lend provocative and powerful vocals make this one of my favorite songs on the new album. And again, it’s shitty creeps. You know who you are.”

Frank Turner: “Jeff Berman writes deceptively sweet songs that have a tendency to sting you when you’re not expecting it. “Creep” is just such a song, it slides into your brain and stays with you, poppy but unsettling. Jess Guise’s vocals add a whole new layer of intrigue as well. A song that stays with you.”

Listen to ‘Creep’ – BELOW:

 
Release Date: February 4th, 2022
Label: A-F Records (US/CA) & Gunner Records (UK/EU)
Formats: Digital | Vinyl
Pre-Order (US/CA)
Pre-Order (EU/UK)

Xsnoize Author
Mark Millar is the founder of XS Noize and looks after the daily running of the website as well as hosting interviews for the weekly XS Noize Podcast. Mark's favourite album is Achtung Baby by U2.

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