Brooklyn-based Upper Wilds, led by Parts & Labor co-founder Dan Friel, share a new track “Reaper” ahead of their forthcoming album Mercury out August 28 via Thrill Jockey. The track features Jeff Tobias (Modern Nature, Thee Reps) on dizzying electronic wind instrument (EWI), harkening back to Friel’s own circuit-bent synthesizer glissandos.
On the track, Friel shares:
“Reaper is about as lighthearted as you can get with a song about trying to outrun death. Our narrator laces up his shoes, and really likes his odds this time. Sonically it’s a great platform for us to stretch out and collaborate with Jeff Tobias, who has now contributed to multiple Wilds albums (as well as some of my solo releases). Jeff had put together a new rig combining his electronic wind instrument (EWI) and a set of pedals and outboard gear that allows him to rip as he usually does on sax, but sounding totally alien.”
Along with the track release, Upper Wilds have announced an East Coast tour, kicking it off with an album release show at Union Pool on September 15 with support from Editrix and Chaser. Tour dates can be found below, with more to be announced soon. Mercury is out on August 28, 2026 via Thrill Jockey.
Tour Dates:
9/15 – Brooklyn, NY @ Union Pool * [TICKETS]
11/11 – Kingston, NY @ Tubby’s #
11/12 – Brooklyn, NY @ Hart Bar #
11/13 – Swarthmore, PA @ Warehouse 3 ^
11/14 – Frederick, MD @ Cafe Nola ^
11/15 – Washington, DC @ Simple Underground ^
# w/ Axis:Sova
^ w/ Shadow Riot
* w/ Editrix and Chaser
