Music / First LookListen to The Drums' lovelorn new singleThe NYC duo premiere ‘I Can't Pretend’, a swooning centrepiece of their third album EncyclopaediaShareLink copied ✔️August 20, 2014MusicFirst LookTextJazz Monroe Anyone closely attuned to the inner reverberations of The Drums will have witnessed a shaky few years for the New York-based band. After major US TV appearances following 2011’s Portamento, rumours abounded of ongoing tensions, scrapped solo projects and the band’s imminent breakup. But fans can take solace in “I Can’t Pretend,” a mournful highlight from September-bound LP Encyclopaedia that starts like MGMT cruising through a wind tunnel before shooting into starlit histrionics reminiscent of Pixies classic “Where Is My Mind?” Lyrically, it’s predictably double-edged – this from a band whose romantic distance has always sounded less lackadaisical than coolly passive-aggressive – with Jonathan Pierce’s sun-lounger sighs bleeding raw indignation. Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.READ MOREK-pop disruptor Effie: ‘Conservatives usually hate my music’ On the funk line: 7 young Brazilians speak on the future of baile funk Tems knows the true secret to happiness2hollis is worried about secret cameras in hotel roomsCobrah’s dream night out involves tequila, candy and raving with aliensbeabadoobee used to have a secret Zayn Malik fan accountLil Uzi Vert has new plans for his $24m diamondAss, miso soup and furries: beabadoobee’s 5 most chaotic online momentsbeabadoobee: ‘You’ve got to embrace the fuck-ups and the failures’The most revealing lyrics on Harry Styles’ new albumThe rise of EsDeeKid in 5 tracksOklou finally confirmed how we should say her nameEscape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy