Ben Kweller announces first album since son’s death and shares grungy new single ‘Optimystic’

nme.com:

Ben Kweller has announced his first album since his son’s death, titled ‘Cover the Mirrors’, and has shared grungy new single ‘Optimystic’ – listen below.The album, which is due to be released on May 30 2025, is his first major work since his 16-year-old son, Dorian Zev, died in a freak car accident in 2023.

The release date coincides with what would have been his son’s 19th birthday.‘Cover the Mirrors’, Kweller’s seventh album, is set to have features from MJ Lenderman, Waxahatchee, The Flaming Lips and Coconut Records.Alongside news of the album, Kweller has shared a grungy new single titled ‘Optimystic’ – driven by swirling guitar riffs and punchy lyrics.

Listen below.Kweller commented on the album in a press release, saying: “This is the most personal, emotionally raw project I’ve ever worked on.

When Dorian died in 2023 I was overcome with the need to make music.“I didn’t care what came out of me because it was the only way I could find peace in my earth-shattering grief.