At long last, Cartel has officially revealed their new record Learning How To Cope, their first LP drop in more than a decade. Preceded by 2013’s Collider, this album sees the alternative veterans with a refined sense of self, and all of the classic pop-punk riffs you know and love. And oh yeah, did we mention there’s a Dashboard Confessional feature?
Frankly, the album pulls no punches, as it touches on the disarray of the music industry, the insanity of modern American life and politics, and more. So…if you’re feeling overwhelmed at the constant stream of bad news, because, of course, you are…let Cartel be your soundtrack to sifting through those valid frustrations.
Frontman Will Pugh says of the release, “It’s been 13 years since I’ve had this feeling. Learning How To Cope is a journey that officially started 21 months ago, but in a lot of ways, it feels like it took the whole decade plus to be ready to write these songs. Life is funny in that way. It wasn’t that long ago that I would’ve told you that Cartel was a part of my past, and I’m incredibly grateful that my past self was dead wrong.”
He continues, “I’m forever indebted to everyone who has helped bring this record to life and to everyone who now will experience it with us. Thanks for sticking around. We can’t wait to enjoy the journey from here.”
Check out the new record below and secure your physical copy here.
Starting in November, Cartel is touring with State Champs and Taylor Acorn! Check out the tour dates below and grab tickets here.
Tour Dates:
- Nov. 05—Allentown, PA @ Archer Music Hall
- Nov. 06—Buffalo, NY @ Riverworks
- Nov. 07—Indianapolis, IN @ Deluxe @ Old National Centre
- Nov. 08—St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant
- Nov. 10—Dallas, TX @ Echo Lounge
- Nov. 12—Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren
- Nov. 13—Las Vegas, NV @ Brooklyn Bowl
- Nov. 14—Riverside, CA @ Riverside Municipal Auditorium
- Nov. 15—Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
- Nov. 17—Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
- Nov. 18—Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
- Nov. 20—Salt Lake City, UT @ Rockwell at The Complex
- Nov. 21—Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall
- Nov. 23—Davenport, IA @ Capitol Theatre
- Nov. 24—Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom
- Nov. 25—Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
- Nov. 27—Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
- Nov. 29—Baltimore, MD @ Nevermore Hall
- Dec. 01—Richmond, VA @ The National
- Dec. 03—Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl
- Dec. 05—St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Live
- Dec. 06—Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
