Press Release

FIRST AID KIT’S FOURTH STUDIO LP ‘RUINS’ IS OUT NOW

WATCH THE DUO PERFORM “IT’S A SHAME” ON THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW JANUARY 23

NORTH AMERICAN HEADLINE TOUR KICKS OFF JANUARY 24

FIRST AID KIT’S FOURTH STUDIO LP ‘RUINS’ IS OUT NOW
Photo Credit: Frida Marklund

RUINS NAMED ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED ALBUMS OF 2018 BY

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, CONSEQUENCE OF SOUND, COSMOPOLITAN MAGAZINE, AND MORE

First Aid Kit’s fourth studio album Ruins is available now via Columbia Records. The 10-track LP was produced by Tucker Martine and recorded at Flora Studios in Portland, OR with accomplished and talented musicians such as REM’s Peter Buck, Wilco’s Glenn Kotche, and Midlake’s McKenzie Smith. Ruins includes previously released tracks “Postcard,” “Fireworks,” and “Ruins” as well as lead single “It’s A Shame,” which Stereogum calls “a brightly polished folk-rock gem” and Rolling Stone names “[a] Dylan-meets-Emmylou Harris shot of country-rock sunshine.” “Fireworks” is another standout track from the album and has been praised by The New York Times, Stereogum, SPIN, and more. Paste proclaims the song is “another gorgeous glimpse of First Aid Kit’s new record” and Consequence of Sound commends “Fireworks” as the track “that truly captures the Swedish duo’s heartrending spin on melancholic Americana.” See full track listing below.

First Aid Kit says: “The wait is over, Ruins is finally out. We hope you love it.  From the bottom of our rebel hearts, love K & J.”

Ruins has been named one of the most anticipated albums of 2018 by The Wall Street Journal, Consequence of Sound, Cosmopolitan, and more. Pitchfork praises Ruins as “a showcase for [First Aid Kit’s] sweet harmonies, with some bold stylistic departures.” NME awards the album 4 out of 5 stars and declares: “‘Ruins’ is a lush, expansive release that uses the siblings’ uncanny blood harmony to full effect, elevating their low-key folk songs into something majestic.” American Songwriter contemplates: “The album is a penetrating exploration of self-aware millennial restlessness and ambition: what does it mean to want something more out of life?”

Ahead of the album’s release, First Aid Kit made their second appearance on The Graham Norton Show where they performed “It’s a Shame.” Today, NPR’s World Café will air their episode with First Aid Kit. Fans can tune in at 2pm ET at XPN.org to listen live. The duo will return to The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Tuesday, January 23 for a performance of “It’s a Shame.” First Aid Kit will also perform on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic on Tuesday – tune in here.

Next week First Aid Kit will embark on a North American headline tour for the first time since 2015. The 14-date run begins with a sold-out show at Oakland’s Fox Theater on January 24 and concludes at New York City’s Beacon Theatre on February 13. The duo is also set to perform at Coachella and Bonnaroo later this year. See full tour routing below and visit http://www.firstaidkitband.com/ for more information.

RUINS TRACK LISTING:

  1. Rebel Heart
  2. It’s a Shame
  3. Fireworks
  4. Postcard
  5. To Live a Life
  6. My Wild Sweet Love
  7. Distant Star
  8. Ruins
  9. Hem of Her Dress
  10. Nothing Has to Be True

FIRST AID KIT ON TOUR:

01/24   Oakland, CA               Fox Theater* (SOLD OUT)
01/26   Portland, OR               Roseland Theater* (SOLD OUT)
01/27   Vancouver, BC          Vogue Theatre* (SOLD OUT)
01/28   Seattle, WA                 Moore Theatre* (SOLD OUT)
01/30   Minneapolis, MN         Palace Theatre* (SOLD OUT)
02/01   Nashville, TN              Ryman Auditorium* (SOLD OUT)
02/02   Chicago, IL                  Riviera Theatre* (SOLD OUT)
02/03   Detroit, MI                   Saint Andrew’s Hall* (SOLD OUT)
02/05   Toronto, ON               Danforth Music Hall* (SOLD OUT)
02/06   Montreal, QC              MTelus*
02/07   Boston, MA                 House of Blues* (SOLD OUT)
02/09   Washington, DC          Lincoln Theatre* (SOLD OUT)
02/10   Philadelphia, PA          Union Transfer* (SOLD OUT)
02/13   New York, NY             Beacon Theatre*
04/14   Indio, CA                     Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
04/21   Indio, CA                     Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
06/09   Manchester, TN          Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
*Van William is supporting all headline dates

Media assets available HERE.

Praise for Ruins:

NME – 4 out of 5
“Something happens when these sisters sing together that defies the boundaries of mere Radio 2-friendly pop. It’s the kind of searing sound that makes your heart leap out of your chest and on the jaunty ‘It’s A Shame’ and haunting ‘Fireworks’ it sounds more powerful than ever before.”

Pitchfork
“The Swedish folk duo’s fourth album is a showcase for their sweet harmonies, with some bold stylistic departures.”

Rolling Stone – 3.5 out of 5

American Songwriter – 3.5 out of 5
“Songs like ‘Postcard’ and ‘To Live a Life’ are some of the most unadulterated bursts of country roots the group has ever put on a record, whereas songs like ‘Fireworks’ and ‘My Wild Sweet Love,’ full of anthemic sing-alongs and expansive sonic palettes, are destined to broaden the group’s appeal even further.”

TIME Magazine
“The history of roots music in America, meanwhile, is mostly homegrown. One noteworthy exception: First Aid Kit, a Swedish act that beautifully captures the spirit of Americana…. When their Americana sounds this good, there’s no harm in having it imported.”

The Ringer
“First Aid Kit’s new album—Ruins—is probably their best record yet, and definitely contains their best song yet [‘It’s a Shame’].”

Relix Magazine
“There’s a maturity shining through.”

Under The Radar
“‘Ruins’ sticks to the well-trodden path of Americana, and does so with guns blazing.”

FIRST AID KIT
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