The New Monday

Vinyl is housed in a matte gatefold jacket with purple foil; ltd edition features purple, pink, blue splatters on black vinyl 

It’s been four years since Zach Saginaw, aka Shigeto, returned home to Michigan from a stint in Brooklyn, NY, and since then, the multi-faceted musician has become a part of the fabric of Detroit’s music scene. While always having a personal approach to his projects, Saginaw’s influences for his third album, The New Monday are more about the community of Detroit than anything else. Named after a weekly DJ event called Monday is the New Monday that Saginaw does at the unassuming Motor City Wine with a group of friends, The New Monday is the result of Saginaw diving into the city’s deep record culture, where there legacy of artist’s of the past help Saginaw embrace his own contributions.

While, in the past, projects like Lineage or No Better Time Than Now were rooted in strong personal messages, family and relationships respectively, The New Monday represents a communal effort where solidarity is the key. Going for a simplified approach of just trying to make good tracks, The New Monday is diverse in its styles leaning more into a dance music direction – new ground for a Shigeto project. A new air of confidence in Saginaw has expanded his horizons since his return to Detroit, but traces of his past work will continue to be present.  While The New Monday still features the jazz textures long associated with Shigeto projects, the varied elements that make up the album cohesively come together to show the distinct inspiration that Saginaw has drew from since his return home to Detroit. Like on “Barry White”, which features Detroit hip-hop artist ZelooperZ (a member of Danny Brown’s Bruiser Brigade crew who Saginaw also has a side project with called ZGTO), Saginaw captures everything he’s been doing all on one track. As much as it’s hip-hop influenced, it’s a mutant that encompass- es elements of dance music, jazz, and ambient sounds.

Throughout The New Monday, Saginaw poignantly references the musical influences that have either always been with him or newly discovered. It is Saginaw’s interpretation of Detroit’s rich culture of innovative artistry, but done so with respect for the history and to contribute, not disrupt.

"His first full-length solo project since 2013’s No Better Time Than Now sees Shigeto partially departing from his traditionally introspective sound, and encouraging his listeners to head for the dance floor. Opening with a kick drum that makes the listener feel as if they had just entered a party deep in the heart of the city itself, Saginaw’s latest effort draws its main influence from his hometown of Detroit.  Although often portrayed unflatteringly, the Motor City has an unparalleled musical history, and he draws from that history to remind the listener that the city’s pulse is alive and well." Spill Magazine

Tracklist

1. Detroit Part II 
2. Barry White (ft. ZelooperZ) 
3. Ice Breaker 
4. In Case You Forgot 
5. There's A Vibe Tonight (ft. Kaleena Zanders) 
6. A2D (ft. ZelooperZ & Silas Green) [AAPV] 
7. Wit Da Cup
8. Don't Trip (ft. Silas Green) 
9. When We Low