Their upcoming album, Evil Friends, does not come out for a month, but Portugal. The Man’s newly released single “Purple Yellow Red and Blue” offers a sharp taste of what it will be, and it is incredibly sweet.
Portugal. The Man — made up of John Gourley, Zachary Carothers, Kyle O’Quin, Noah Gersh, and Kane Ritchotte — has been around since 2005 and the Danger Mouse-produced Evil Friends will mark their seventh studio album. Though they have experienced many changes in the band’s members and a three-year leave from their label in 2007, it seems (at least from “Purple Yellow Red and Blue”) that the psychedelic rock-pop group have truly found their voice and sound.
These Alaskan and Oregonian guys have continuously rocked the music festival circuit, performing incredible shows at Bonaroo, SXSW, Lollapalooza, and this year’s Governor’s Ball in New York. Their high-energy stage presence has been consistent with each show and is equally heard on each track they record. The creativity of their music strongly backs the intrigue of their name, for it releases feelings of madness and modesty in both their lyrics and synthesizer laced beats.
“Purple Yellow Red and Blue” is an incredible piece of music and a great choice to release in anticipation of the album. When the track starts you immediately feel the exciting sensation of wonder, as you have no idea of where the song will lead or what wanting to “feel purple yellow red and blue” really means. At the end of the synth-laced melodic journey and the crooning lyric of “I just want to be evil”, you are filled with hope, energy and the need to break free. Of what? That’s up to you. If this track is any indication, Evil Friends will leave us all feeling purple, yellow, red, and blue.