Interpol's upcoming eighth album, This Mirror Weighs a Ton, is being hailed as their masterpiece, a surprising turn for a band that seemed to be fading after their last album reached only No 178 on the US charts. Frontman-guitarist Paul Banks says, 'We just all really showed up,' referring to the band's expansion to a quintet with touring musicians Brad Truax and Brandon Curtis becoming full-time members.
Fatherhood and Fulfillment
Banks, who lives in Berlin with his wife and two young children, credits fatherhood for his renewed focus. '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.'
Political Awakening and AI
The album confronts contemporary issues like war in Ukraine and AI. Banks describes the song Iron City as 'a dialogue between a narrator and a future artificial intelligence.' He jokes about worrying whether to write about AI: 'Don't talk shit about it, otherwise it's going to run your car off the road in 15 years' time.'
Banks also criticizes political figures, including Elon Musk, whom he says is 'dangerous and crazy.' He reflects on the Trump administration: 'How can Marco Rubio or JD Vance say what they say, when they're clearly smart? It's so dark, dude.'
Musical Evolution
The album features a broader sonic palette, including trip-hop, jazz-fusion synth solos, xylophones, woodwind, and a piano ballad. It was produced by Andrew Wyatt, who won an Oscar for co-writing Shallow from A Star is Born.
Band Dynamics and Past Tensions
Guitarist Daniel Kessler notes that Interpol has always been more melancholic than their 00s NYC peers. He reflects on the band's past tensions, particularly before bassist Carlos Dengler's departure. Banks adds, 'There's who you think you want people to be – and then there's who they are.'
Looking Ahead
Despite the album's heavy themes, the band remains optimistic. Kessler says, 'I get to be a sort of sailor who sees the world.' Interpol recently played to 160,000 people in Mexico City and will support pop star Sombr on tour to reach Gen Z fans.
