Sleater-Kinney - "Say It Like You Mean It"

Photo by Chris Hornbecker

As someone who didn't like the last two Sleater-Kinney albums but loved their single released last month ("Hell"), I was nervous to check out the second single from their upcoming album. "Hell" could have been a fluke, and I'd end up hating "Say It Like You Mean It." I'm both relieved and thrilled to say this new single is also fantastic. With "Say It Like You Mean It," Sleater-Kinney have found this new ground that isn't anything like their 90's classics but still fresh enough to keep even their most snobby middle-aged indie rock fans (aka me) happy with a thrilling new sound. The Center Won't Hold and Path of Wellness were them trying out a brand new sound, and so far Little Rope appears to be them mastering it.

Carrie Brownstein says of her band's new video, which she directed:

“The video tells the story of a woman who's lost all sense of what's appropriate. Sick with the alienation that stems from existing in a disparate emotional state from the person or people closest to her, she grapples with debilitating loss, desires to be seen, and dares you to leave.”

You can watch the video for "Say It Like You Mean It" below. Little Rope is due out January 19 on Loma Vista Recordings, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Sleater-Kinney, check out the band's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

11/10/2023 - London, UK @ Pitchfork London Roundhouse *SOLD OUT*

11/19/2023 - Mexico City, MX @ Corona Capital

02/28/2024 - San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park

02/29/2024 - Las Vegas, NV @ Brooklyn Bowl

03/01/2024 - Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre

03/02/2024 - Albuquerque, NM @ El Rey Theater

03/04/2024 - Tulsa, OK @ Cain's Ballroom

03/05/2024 - Dallas, TX @ Studio at the Factory

03/06/2024 - Austin, TX @ ACL Live at the Moody Theater

03/08/2024 - New Orleans, LA @ Joy Theater

03/09/2024 - Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern

03/11/2024 - Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa

03/12/2024 - Washington, DC @ The Anthem

03/13/2024 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel

03/14/2024 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel

03/16/2024 - New York, NY @ Racket *SOLD OUT*

03/17/2024 - Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club *SOLD OUT*

03/18/2024 - Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts *SOLD OUT*

03/20/2024 - Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall

03/21/2024 - Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre

03/22/2024 - Madison, WI @ The Sylvee

03/23/2024 - St. Paul, MN @ Palace Theatre

03/25/2024 - Kansas City, MO @ The Truman

03/26/2024 - Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom

03/28/2024 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern

03/29/2024 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Belasco

03/30/2024 - San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield

03/31/2024 - San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield

04/02/2024 - Seattle, WA @ The Showbox

04/03/2024 - Seattle, WA @ The Showbox

04/04/2024 - Vancouver, BC @ The Vogue

04/05/2024 - Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom