alt-j have shared “Get Better”, the track, is just the band’s second single since their third album Relaxer, released in 2017. The band announced the North American leg of their 2022 world tour which will see them play at venues across the United States and Canada in 2022. To support the new album, the band will embark on an extensive tour of North America, starting in February 2022.

The single arrives alongside an animated music video, made by Hamburg-based award-winning pixel artist Stefanie Grunwald. Since 2016, Grunwald has quickly gained recognition for her detailed nighttime animations, which caught the eye of Newman and led to the collaboration.

Going deeper into the process of creating the track, Newman says, “‘Get Better’ is the union of two songs. The first was an improvised song I sang in 2018 to my partner. To her I sang ‘Get better my Darcy, I know you can’. She filmed it and I kept revisiting the fragment with a plan to write more. The second was a chord structure I worked on in lockdown that focused on someone living through a bereavement. I felt a nervous heat when writing ‘Get Better’. The context of the Coronavirus pandemic lent my words a chilling weight and gave me a new sense of responsibility as a lyricist. Whilst the direct events described are fictional, I believe – or I hope – that it’s emotionally the most honest song I’ve written.”

On describing the experience of first hearing the demo, Newman’s bandmate Unger-Hamilton said, “when Joe first played it to me I didn’t just get a bit tearful, I broke down. A big, big cry. A cry of the year.”

​​The band have also announced a charity contest to win a Larrivee P-05 guitar, the same model of guitar that Newman wrote most of The Dream on and used in the recording of “Get Better,” which he has inscribed with handwritten lyrics from the track. All proceeds from the contest will go to Plan International – a global children’s charity working in over 50 countries to create lasting equality for girls and protect the rights of all children. To enter the contest, fans can head here.

Speaking about the band’s partnership with Plan International, Newman says, “After becoming a father a friend told me about the charity Plan International. My partner and I strive for our daughter to be happy, safe, loved, and reassured every moment of every day.”

“To know there are countless children that don’t have the care and support from parents, communities, and governments is heartbreaking. Plan International are doing incredible work throughout the world transforming children’s lives, making sure they have access to the education, health care, clean water, and future opportunities they need to thrive.”

alt-J 2022 North American Tour Dates

February 25, 2022 – Pittsburgh PA – Petersen Events Center
February 26, 2022 – Washington DC – The Anthem
March 1, 2022 – Nashville TN – Nashville Municipal Auditorium
March 2, 2022 – Atlanta GA – State Farm Arena
March 4, 2022 – Tampa FL – Yuengling Center
March 5, 2022 – Hollywood FL – Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood
March 6, 2022 – Orlando FL – Orlando Amphitheater
March 9, 2022 – Dallas TX – The Factory in Deep Ellum
March 12, 2022 – Austin TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
March 13, 2022 – Houston TX – White Oak Music Hall
March 15, 2022 – St Louis MO – Chaifetz Arena
March 16, 2022 – Detroit MI – Masonic Temple Detroit
March 19, 2022 – Chicago IL – Credit Union 1 Arena
March 20, 2022 – Minneapolis MN – The Armory
March 23, 2022 – Denver CO – 1STBANK Center
March 25, 2022 – San Diego CA – Pechanga Arena San Diego
March 26, 2022 – Santa Barbara CA – Santa Barbara Bowl
March 27, 2022 – Los Angeles CA – STAPLES Center
March 29, 2022 – Seattle WA – WAMU Theatre
March 30, 2022 – Vancouver BC – Pacific Coliseum
April 1, 2022 – San Francisco CA – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
April 3, 2022 – Las Vegas NV – The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
April 5, 2022 – Salt Lake City UT – UCCU Center
April 7, 2022 – Kansas City MO – Cable Dahmer Arena
April 8, 2022 – Cincinnati OH – PromoWest Pavillion at Ovation
April 9, 2022 – Columbus OH – Schottenstein Center
April 11, 2022 – New York NY – Madison Square Garden
April 13, 2022 – Philadelphia PA – TD Pavilion at the Mann
April 14, 2022 – Boston MA – Agganis Arena
April 15, 2022 – Montreal QC – Place Bell
Apri 17, 2022 – Toronto ON – Coca-Cola Coliseum

With Portugal. The Man
with special guest Sir Chloe 2/25-3/20
with special guest Cherry Glazerr 3/23-4/17

order alt-j tickets HERE