The Districts Share Huge Rock Anthem “If Before I Wake”

The first time I saw the Districts, two years ago, their magnetic stage performance and pulsating, furious energy floored me, as it worked in apparent contrast to their quiet, restrained songs. It took a second or third listen for the band’s seething anxiousness to become more obvious. Now prepping for their second album, Popular Manipulations, due out August 11 on Fat Possum, the band has taken some of the guesswork out of the equation with a driving rock anthem, “If Before I Wake.” Built on huge guitars, driving bass, and multi-tracked vocals that churn like an angry thunderstorm, “If Before I Wake” is the kind of song that could propel the Districts to new heights. The track balances on the fulcrum of breakdown and pause almost exactly halfway through before it explodes into a wall of sound. If it’s possible, the Districts’ live show still outshines even a forceful recording like “If Before I Wake.” In other words, catch them on their upcoming international tour, including a date at Austin’s Sidewinder on June 27. Until then, stream “If Before I Wake” below.