Japanese musician Keigo Oyamada, better known as Cornelius, has just dropped the “BAD ADVICE/MIND TRAIN” EP, available now via Like LTD. This three-track release includes the previously shared nine-minute krautrock-inspired “MIND TRAIN” and a new track titled “BAD ADVICE,” featuring the iconic New York No Wave artist Arto Lindsay.
To celebrate his 30th anniversary, Cornelius is also excited to announce the upcoming vinyl release of his 2023 acclaimed LP “Dream in Dream.” The deluxe edition, set to drop on September 27, features a Rainbow Foil Jacket with a Die-Cut Window, Zoetrope Slipmat, and Colored Vinyl—a must-have for fans looking for a collector’s item that perfectly captures the album’s visionary sound.
Reflecting on this milestone, Cornelius shared his humble excitement, saying, “I never thought I would be able to continue making music for so long.”
The standout track, “BAD ADVICE,” showcases Arto Lindsay’s distinctive vocals. Lindsay, reflecting on their collaboration, said, “I love Keigo’s description of how collaborations work when he says that his influences are ‘strongly indirect.’ It’s a great way to describe how the best music comes together for us.” He also noted how struck he was by Cornelius’s observation that “there is noise in beauty,” a sentiment Lindsay found both true and profound.
Cornelius revealed that “BAD ADVICE” was inspired by Arto Lindsay’s 80s experimental duo Ambitious Lovers, and he was thrilled to have Lindsay lend his voice to the track. Lindsay’s lyrics on “Bad Advice” continue his tradition of crafting words that evoke a unique mood and allow for multiple interpretations:
‘Nice red scar
Never heal
I cannot forgive your eyes
Bad advice
Given twice
What was double cracks like ice’
The EP’s first single, “MIND TRAIN,” released last month, is an epic, nine-minute-plus journey of ethereal space-pop. With sleek minimalist structures giving way to moments of exhilarating chaos, the track draws influence from Cornelius’s longtime hero Yoko Ono, aiming to inspire deep self-reflection. Cornelius describes “MIND TRAIN” as symbolizing a spiritual journey or inner exploration, offering listeners an experience to explore their inner selves. The accompanying video by visual artist Keita Onishi takes viewers on a retro-futuristic journey, where stunning graphics encourage personal interpretation.
The EP also includes a remix of the “Dream in Dream” track “Sparks” by Canadian multi-instrumentalist and composer Joseph Shabason, known for his work with bands like Destroyer, The War On Drugs, and Alvvays.
Cornelius is also excited to announce that Money Mark, known for his work with the Beastie Boys, will join him as support for the U.S. dates of the “Dream in Dream” World Tour. This tour, celebrating three decades of Cornelius’s genre-defying music, will feature longtime band members Hirohisa Horie on keyboards, Yuko Araki on drums, and Yumiko Ohno on Moog and bass. The tour kicks off on September 1 at the End of the Road Festival in Salisbury, England, with stops in Amsterdam, London, and several U.S. cities, culminating in a headline show at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles on September 24.
Cornelius invites both longtime fans and newcomers to join in this next chapter, saying, “We are grateful to everyone who has supported our journey. Please come and see us live.”
Cornelius World Tour Dates
8/29/24 – End of the Road Festival – Salisbury, England
9/3/24 – Paradiso – Amsterdam, Netherlands
9/6/2024 – Barbican – London, England
9/21/24 – Music Box – San Diego, CA*
9/22/24 – Pappy & Harriets – Pioneertown, CA*
9/24/24 – Fonda Theatre – Los Angeles, CA*
9/25/24 – UC Theatre – Berkeley, CA*
9/27/24 – Crystal Ballroom – Portland, OR*
9/29/24 – Neptune Theatre – Seattle, WA*
(* with Money Mark)
