Mogwai Go Punk on New Iggy Pop Collab ‘Underground’

Nearly three decades ago, Mogwai sampled parts of an interview Iggy Pop gave to the CBC in 1977 for their Come On Die Young album opener “Punk Rock.” “Punk rock is a word used by dilettantes and … it’s a term that’s based on contempt,” he said seriously then, set to the group’s slow-building moody post-rock. Now the Iguana has collaborated with Mogwai on “Underground,” a funny new song with a video directed by Scott McPherson that features on their upcoming compilation, Happy Tears, out Jan. 8.

“I am a robot and I am unhappy,” he says, sounding as serious as he did on “Punk Rock” on the new song. “I have been designed to make money, but I want to make love.” Then the guitar comes in (sounding very “punk rock”) and Pop’s signature sense of humor juts out: “I don’t need to suck a cock,” he sings. “All the friends that I have got understand these words I spit/I don’t need to sing bullshit.” Unlike Mogwai’s early music, “Underground” has a hard beat on which Pop sings, “Underground, you’re my home” with the same affinity for underground music he had when talking about punk in ’77.

“I’ve always liked Mogwai,” Pop said in a statement. “The opening of the track reminded me of the crushing modern loneliness. The sung vocal, which was arranged by Matt Sweeney, felt like it was made for someone who is pissed off and doesn’t mind saying so.”

The song previews Happy Tears, which acknowledges Mogwai’s 30-year history. The compilation collects highlights and rarities from the influential post-rock band’s including a reworking of “New Paths to Helicon 1,” newly retitled “Brand New Paths to Helicon 1,” featuring the Budapest Art Orchestra. It will be available in double- and quadruple-LP configurations, as well as a double CD and digitally. The expanded editions include 13 additional tracks, including six previously unreleased songs. They’re also releasing a two-and-a-half–hour audio documentary, Happy Tears: The Story of Mogwai, to go along with it.

“I never thought we’d be making 11 records, because hardly any bands I liked ever did,” the band’s Stuart Braithwaite said in the audio doc. “We’re doing it being weirdo Scottish instrumental misery mongers. Like, yeah, that’s pretty wild.’”

Happy Tears track list:

Standard double-LP version

1. “Yes! I Am a Long Way From Home”
2. “I’m Jim Morrison I’m Dead”
3. “Hunted By a Freak”
4. “Take Me Somewhere Nice”
5. “Boltfor”
6. “CODY”
7. “Brand New Paths to Helicon 1”
8. “How to Be a Werewolf”
9. “Auto Rock”
10. “Remurdered”
11. “Ritchie Sacramento”
12. “Lion Rumpus”
13. “Underground” (feat. “Iggy Pop)

Quadruple LP and double-CD additional tracks

1. “Angels vs Aliens”
2. “Die 1 Dislike!”
3. “Ether” (with The KNDS Fairey Band – Live)
4. “The Sun Smells Too Loud” (Holden remix)
5. “If Not Destroyed: True”
6. “Full Blast Michael”
7. “Hingmy Malmsteen”
8. “Dracula Family “
9. “Harry Patter”
10. “Ritchie Sacramento” (Other Two remix)
11. “Nick Drake”
12. “Owl Mince”
13. “Mogwai Fear Satan” (Live)