GRAMMY-nominated musician and multi-instrumentalist Michael Shuman is GLU. The frontman of Mini Mansions and member of Queens of the Stone Age is showing another side of himself with his independent debut EP, MY DEMONS out February 24th. Today’s title track release features Phantogram’s Sarah Barthel and explores how childhood traumas continue to seep into adult life. Emotional explosions emerge in a realm of lo-fi hip-hop with upbeat, poppy moments while the coinciding video turns heads with a steamy, latex-laden Barthel symbolizing the demons that dominate GLU’s thoughts as he raps satirically through a leather ball gag – listen: HERE
GLU’s genesis was rooted in honesty, creativity, and the desire not just to exist but to exist deeply, and with no major concentration of genre aside from melding them, he unravels ribbons of rhyme and musicianship that are introspective and engaging.
Self-produced and mastered by Dale Becker (Doja Cat, Chris Brown, Khalid), the MY DEMONS EP as a whole is a look into the late nights, solitude, and the existential crisis that come with surviving alone through a pandemic. Taking influence from Depeche Mode, Gorillaz, Twenty One Pilots, Mac Miller, the back and forth of the artist’s soft soundscapes lead way to catchy lyrics touching on relatable subjects of struggle, loss, addiction and trauma. Previous single “Night Shift,” highlights the impending doom we feel, generated by the current state of our world (PRESS HERE to listen).
“For me, ‘MY DEMONS’ was about being on my own terms; having my own momentum,” said Shuman. “This is something that is different because I do come from punk rock, but I’m doing this… so it’s not going to sound like your typical DJ or Hip-Hop producer. I want it to feel fresh, and that’s the most exciting thing for me.”
Recently wrapping a tour in the U.S. supporting Phantogram and a run of successful solo dates in the U.K., GLU will have more announcements in the coming weeks so stay tuned!
MY DEMONS Track Listing:
MY DEMONS ft. Sarah Barthel of Phantogram
COLD SWEAT
NIGHT SHIFT
MOONWALKIN’
FUCKED WITH MY DEMONS