New Academics was formed in the early 2000s and has performed across the length and breadth of South Africa. The band has released three albums to date: City of Strange (2006), The Apple (2008) and Growler Front (2016).
Today sees the release of New Academics‘ fourth album, The Great Romancer
The album was recorded intermittently over the past 3 years as circumstances allowed. The album features the return of Brendon van Rooyen on drums and a guest appearance by David Cousins on acoustic piano on the track ‘Sundogs’.
Vocals, guitars, keyboards, and bass were produced and engineered by the band at Dave Baudains’ home studio, while drums were tracked at Digital Forest Studios by Andrew Rawbone-Viljoen.

The album was mixed by Rob Smith at Sick Records and mastered by Rogan Kelsey at Kelsey Mastering. The artwork image was hand drawn by Dave Baudains and colourised by Andrea Barkhuizen, who also produced the artwork layout. New Academics is Joe Penn, Dave Baudains, Brendon van Rooyen and Rob Smith.
With this album, the band retains their guitar, bass and drums driven sound, but continues their departure from their earlier work, weaving electronic elements and dark lyrical content into a wide palette of textures.
You can stream / download The Great Romancer HERE.
Watch this space for updates in the Music News category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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