Philadelphia singer-songwriter Shamir has dropped a new song, “Neverwannago,” from their final solo album, Ten, which will arrive this spring via Kill Rock Stars.
For their swan song, Shamir (who uses he/she/they pronouns) decided to honor the many friends who’ve helped, supported, and shaped their musical journey. The album comprises 10 tracks written by those closest to Shamir, based on unused demos and tossed-aside songs that Shamir has given new life.
“Neverwannago” is a pristine hit of Nineties-style alt-pop that balances sun-drenched vibes with just the right amount of melancholy. “I never wanna go/Back to my hometown,” Shamir sings in their stunning falsetto, “It really makes me sad when I look around/And I think I would die/If I had to stay there.”
The track was written by Andrew Harmon, the Portland musician who performs under the moniker Like St. Joan. “Neverwannago” also arrives with a music video directed by Matthew Ober, and featuring musician August Nandé.
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Ten not only marks Shamir’s final album, but their 10th studio album, and it’s set to arrive 10 years after their debut Ratchet. (That album was released May 19, 2015; an exact release date for Ten hasn’t been announced yet.) Over the past decade, Shamir has shown a knack for superb songwriting, alongside constant evolution and experimentation, with highlights including 2017’s Revelations, 2020’s self-titled, and 2022’s Heterosexuality. Along with their 10 albums, they’ve also released a handful of EPs and collaborated with artists like Troye Sivan, Rina Sawayama, Mac DeMarco, Le Tigre, and Courtney Barnett.
Speaking of their decision to end this remarkable run with Ten, Shamir said in a statement, “I’ve done and said all I wanted to say. I never want to feel like I’m forcing my art.”