Interpol, the New York rock band known for their moody riffs and gnomic poetry, are back with what they call their masterpiece. Their upcoming eighth album, This Mirror Weighs a Ton, marks a creative resurgence after a decade of solid but predictable records. Frontman Paul Banks admits the band 'really showed up' this time, expanding to a quintet with bassist Brad Truax and keyboardist Brandon Curtis becoming full members.
A Return to Form and New Depths
The album, produced by Andrew Wyatt (Oscar winner for Shallow and contributor to the Barbie soundtrack), blends indie disco hits with trip-hop, jazz-fusion, and a rare piano ballad called Enemy. Banks says he felt his lyrics on the previous album, 2022's The Other Side of Make Believe, were mistakes, and he didn't want to repeat that feeling. 'I just didn't want to walk away with that feeling again,' he explains.
Fatherhood and Fulfillment
Banks, who lives in Berlin with his wife and two young children, says fatherhood has transformed his approach. 'Having children, to me, is maximum fulfillment,' he says. 'If I'm going to have a job that keeps me away from my family sometimes, then I don't want any mediocre work. I feel this responsibility of being a better version of myself.' However, he notes that the 'wish to feel complete' remains elusive, even with love.
Political Awakening and Anger
For the first time, Interpol confronts contemporary politics. Banks criticizes Elon Musk for spreading misinformation, calling him 'dangerous and crazy.' He also targets the Trump administration, questioning how officials like Marco Rubio or JD Vance can say what they do. 'How do they look in the mirror?' he asks. The song Wounded Soldier was inspired by drone footage from the Russia-Ukraine war, depicting a soldier's last moments. 'You can't get desensitised to that stuff,' Banks says, his voice trembling.
AI and the Human Experience
The track Iron City features a dialogue with a future AI. Banks jokes about worrying to criticize AI, but insists on honesty: 'If there are repercussions for being open and honest about how fucked up things are, then bring it on.' He argues that AI can only replicate existing content, making it dependent on human creativity to stay relevant.
The Band's Evolution
Guitarist Daniel Kessler, who typically starts songs with chord progressions, says writing music 'exorcises angst, moodiness, depression.' Despite the band's melancholic reputation, Kessler recalls decadent early days in New York, though he notes social media has changed partying. 'Unbelievable nights would happen because you were just going with the moment,' he says.
The band has weathered lineup changes, including the departure of bassist Carlos Dengler, who described having PTSD. Banks admits to serious tensions in those years but says fatherhood has made him 'a little bit more loving and a little bit less prone to holding on to grievances.'
Looking Ahead
Interpol are touring UK arenas with Bloc Party and recently played to 160,000 people in Mexico City. Kessler isn't worried about becoming a nostalgia act: 'It's super flattering that people care about something you did a couple of decades ago.' Drummer Sam Fogarino is recovering from spinal surgery but played on the new album. This Mirror Weighs a Ton is out on 28 August via Partisan.
