Canadian art punks Crack Cloud return with new single ‘Blue Kite’, the first release from upcoming album Red Mile, out July 26th via Jagjaguwar. Taking inspiration from the glory days of punk, Crack Cloud push their sound in a new direction while still delivering their trademark affected vocals and socially conscious lyricism. Recorded in the Mojave Desert, the track is staccato and playful, it stomps along boldly while incorporating strings and synthesisers to create something that feels fresh and urgent. At a runtime of just over 6 mins this is a sprawling lead single from the ever-changing collective, who are now sporting a lean and focused new line-up. In a statement written about the track, Zach Choy refers to a banned 1993 Chinese film that shares its title with this track, “it's told from the perspective of a boy growing up in 1950’s Beijing. His environment is one of social conformity and political correctness, and he relishes in escapism when flying his kite” explains Choy. “Eventually the boy succumbs to the social climate, and the kite itself is swept away into the branches of a tree.”  Crack Cloud will be extensively touring the US, UK and EU later this year, including their biggest headline to date at London’s Koko on September 25th. -Adam Brown