Photo by Erez Avissar

Girls frontman and primary songwriter Christopher Owens today posted a very surprising string of Tweets announcing that he's leaving the band. He said:

Dear all, This may come as a surprise to many & has been an issue of much thought for me. My decision was not easy to make. I am leaving Girls. My reasons at this time are personal. I need to do this in order to progress. I will continue to write & record music. More will be announced soon. I thank you all for everything. Sincerely–Christopher

No word just yet on whether Girls' other half, bassist/producer JR White, will keep the band together without him. Girls have released two albums, 2011's Father, Son, Holy Ghost and 2009's Album, as well as 2010's Broken Dreams Club EP.

Watch the band perform "Vomit" at an abandoned Brooklyn church for Pitchfork.tv's "Special Presentation".