Mike Shinoda Reveals New Solo Song ‘Crossing a Line’ + ‘Post Traumatic’ Album Release Plan
For the last few weeks, Mike Shinoda has been teasing that new music was coming. After issuing the Post-Traumatic EP earlier this year, the Linkin Park vocalist has now revealed the first piece of music from his upcoming solo set, a track called "Crossing a Line."
A couple of weeks ago, Shinoda invited fans via social media to meet him at the old Tower Records lot on Sunset in Los Angeles and while there, it served as part of his video shoot. In the new clip seen above, you can see the vocalist driving around Los Angeles, meeting with fans and walking the streets of Los Angeles.
As for the song itself, it's more of a synth-based track with a steady beat, as Shinoda's vocals come off a little affected. "I'll tell you I don't care anymore / I hope you'll know that's a lie / Cause I found what I have been waiting for / But to get there means crossing a line / So I'm crossing a line," sings Shinoda in the track.
A second new track, "Nothing Makes Sense Anymore," is also available to stream and is available immediately for fans pre-ordering the album. Head here to check it out via the platform of your choosing.
While appearing on Los Angeles' Kevin and Bean morning show on KROQ, Shinoda revealed that like his recent EP, his solo album will be titled Post Traumatic. The 16-track disc is now on track for a June 15 street date and was borne out of the aftermath of coping with Chester Bennington's death last year.
"I had been writing these songs and they were both helping me navigate both emotionally and logically," says Shinoda. "There wasn't going to be any clear answers. We're just going to have to wait and see and go with the flow." The vocalist says in a statement about the disc, “It’s a journey out of grief and darkness, not into grief and darkness. If people have been through something similar, I hope they feel less alone. If they haven’t been through this, I hope they feel grateful.”
"I needed the freedom to just kind of wipe the slate clean," said Shinoda, feeling that he was going through something very personal and didn't want to be beholden to what the expectations of Linkin Park might bring. That said, Shinoda reveals his fellow Linkin Park band members were really supportive of his decision to work on his own and share the music.
As for Linkin Park, Shinoda reveals that the future is still open. He admitted there are no easy answers on what to do concerning Bennington's loss and each of the members are all dealing with the singer's loss in their own way. But he says that he's hoping that returning to music will help provide him some answers about what the future holds.
The album is now available for pre-order at Shinoda's website, and he reveals that there is also an art book that he's created from stuff he's put together during the album creation process. Meanwhile, Shinoda has also started booking solo shows and you can see where he's playing here.
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