Ahead of the impending release of their 11th studio album it’s not us on Jan. 12, singular Chicago rockers Umphrey’s McGee have shared a remarkable new single, “Looks.” The song is available below in lyric video form, exclusively at Paste.

Guitarist Jake Cinninger, who wrote “Looks,” said of the song:

“Looks” is an exploration of future metallic funk, with an undercurrent of uncertainty permeating throughout. The track is about human misadventure, and the resulting bad behavior. It represents a peripheral vision for trouble. Sonically, we hope listeners recognize the fearless mashup of styles. The guitar solo at the end was actually the very first take I played, performed live while we were tracking the drums. It is not a typical Umphrey’s track … but then again, what is? Our formula is constant change, designed to keep us happy and forever moving forward as a band. It’s foreshadowing & reminiscing all in one.

“Looks” lives up to Cinninger’s vision: The dynamic track builds its funky momentum with acrobatic drum rolls and staccato bass notes before discordant guitars and filtered vocals throw the comfortable groove for a loop, keeping us on our toes as the song continues to shift. “Never liked the looks of this / Suddenly a little slip / Head upon the floor again / It's your only friend,” a grim Cinninger sings before gaudy synths give way to what the lyric video below aptly describes as a “fierce guitar solo.” All told, the song manages a balance of fun and foreboding that few bands could pull off quite like Umphrey’s.

A press release describes it’s not us as “a wide-ranging, dynamic statement album from the band, one that showcases the versatility and world-class musicianship that is at their core.” Indeed, it sounds like the album will have something to offer each member of Umphrey’s diverse diehard fan base, including “big, heavy rock elements, guitar wizardry, softer moments, jazzy flourishes, propulsive percussion, jams and their most accessible songwriting yet.”

In celebration of the impending release of their 11th album, Umphrey’s will bring their ballyhooed live show across the U.S. on the it’s not us headlining tour. Their run includes a three-night stand at New York City’s famed Beacon Theatre Jan. 19-21, with the final show marking the band’s 20th birthday. You can see the rest of their dates below and find ticket info right here.

Watch the lyric video for “Looks” and listen to Umphrey’s McGee’s 2012 Daytrotter session below, and find their 2018 tour slate further down. You can preorder it’s not us here.

Umphrey’s McGee Tour Dates:

January

11 – Pittsburgh, Pa. @ Stage AE

12 – Cincinnati, Ohio @ Taft Theatre

13 – Cincinnati, Ohio @ Taft Theatre

19 – New York, N.Y. @ The Beacon Theatre

20 – New York, N.Y. @ The Beacon Theatre

21 – New York, N.Y. @ The Beacon Theatre

25 – New Haven, Conn. @ College Street Music Hall

26 – Philadelphia, Pa. @ The Fillmore

27 – Philadelphia, Pa. @ The Fillmore

28 – Jim Thorpe, Pa. @ Penn’s Peak

February

01 – Columbus, Ohio @ Express Live!

02 – Kalamazoo, Mich. @ Wings Event Center

03 – Kalamazoo, Mich. @ Wings Event Center

15 – Washington, D.C. @ The Anthem

16 – Asheville, N.C. @ ExploreAsheville.com Arena

17 – Asheville, N.C. @ ExploreAsheville.com Arena

18 – Tampa, Fla. @ WhigFest Music & Arts Festival

March

07 – Aspen, Colo. @ Belly Up Aspen

08 – Aspen, Colo. @ Belly Up Aspen

09 – Aspen, Colo. @ Belly Up Aspen

10 – Salt Lake City, Utah @ The Complex

14 – Missoula, Mont. @ The Wilma

15 – Seattle, Wash. @ The Showbox

16 – Portland, Ore. @ Crystal Ballroom

17 – Portland, Ore. @ Crystal Ballroom

22 – South Lake Tahoe, Calif. @ Harrah's Lake Tahoe

23 – Oakland, Calif. @ The Fox Oakland

24 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ The Wiltern

25 – San Diego, Calif. @ The Observatory North Park