Unknown Mortal Orchestra Shares Single / Video 'I Killed Captain Cook'

Keeping a relatively low profile since the release of his 2018 album Sex & Food — aside from a smattering of singles, a collaboration with Damon Albarn's megastar cartoon project Gorillaz and more assorted offerings — Unknown Mortal Orchestra aka Ruban Nielson reemerges with new song 'I Killed Captain Cook'. Released with a self-directed, beautifully DIY super 8 video starring his mother Deedee Aipolani Nielson (whom the single is written in tribute to), a Kanaka Maoli from Hilo and Miss Aloha Hula 1973, Nielson spoke about the ideas behind his tenderly plucked ballad, the first tune from a new UMO double album on the horizon for 2023...

"... I’m sorry I’ve been away so long and really excited to start sharing more music from the double album and seeing you all again soon. I wrote this song for my mother who is a legendary hula dancer and native Hawaiian. The song is about the death of the English explorer James Cook who was killed in Hawaii after attempting to kidnap a Hawaiian chief. I made the video with my super 8 camera, my mum, my daughter, and I went to the beach at Keaukaha in Hilo, Hawaii where mum interpreted the song in her language of hula. After some light warm rain I ran my camera and captured this moment. Hope you enjoy it."

'I Killed Captain Cook' is out now on major streaming services via Jagjaguwar.