Indie rock legends Pavement are set to break their 25-year dry spell with a brand-new track, marking their first release since 1999’s Terror Twilight. The fresh song will appear on the soundtrack for their upcoming film, Pavement: The Musical, a project that dives deep into the band’s history, influence, and enduring legacy.
While
Pavement’s reunion tours have reignited their connection with fans worldwide, this release goes beyond nostalgia. It’s a rare opportunity to hear something entirely new from a band that’s spent decades being a cornerstone of indie rock. Speaking with NME, frontman Stephen Malkmus hinted at the direction of the new material: “It’s Pavement, but it’s not about revisiting old ground—it’s something fresh that still feels like us.”
The film, directed by Alex Ross Perry (Her Smell, Golden Exits), promises a deeper look into the band’s creative process and history. Perry, a longtime fan of Pavement, explained the synergy between the movie and the soundtrack: “This isn’t just a film for fans—it’s a film for people who’ve ever fallen in love with a song and had it change their life.”
The new track accompanies reimagined versions of
Pavement classics, which were recorded with a theatrical twist to match the tone of Pavement: The Musical. “We wanted to create something cohesive,” said Malkmus. “These are songs you know, but they’ve been transformed to fit this new context.”
For fans who’ve followed Pavement since their lo-fi beginnings with Slanted and Enchanted, this announcement is more than just news—it’s a moment of revival. The idea of hearing unreleased material from a band that helped define the sound of indie rock is a big deal, especially for a generation of listeners who’ve never experienced their music beyond old records and YouTube archives.
While the specifics of the new track remain under wraps, expectations are understandably high. “We’re not chasing trends,” Malkmus assured. “We just wanted to create something honest and true to where we are now.”
Pavement: The Musical is scheduled to premiere at select festivals next year before wider distribution. Along with the film, the accompanying soundtrack will undoubtedly cement this as a pivotal moment in the band’s storied career.
Pavement’s return to the studio—and their willingness to offer something new after all these years—proves that some bands don’t fade out; they just wait for the perfect time to reintroduce themselves. Fans can only hope this new track is a signal of more to come.
