La Dispute Announces First Album in Six Years, ‘No One Was Driving the Car,’ and 2025 Tour
La Dispute is back! After a six-year hiatus, the Michigan-based post-hardcore band has announced their highly anticipated new album, No One Was Driving the Car, set to release on September 5th via Epitaph Records. But that's not all – they're also hitting the road for a North American tour, kicking off on the same day as the album release.
The album, self-produced and heavily inspired by Paul Schrader's 2017 film First Reformed, explores themes of malaise and dissociation in a world grappling with technological advancement and looming apocalypse. The title itself comes from a chilling quote from a police officer describing a fatal Tesla crash – a fitting metaphor for the album's exploration of control, disconnection, and the anxieties of modern life.
To tide fans over until September, La Dispute has released the first act of the album, consisting of three songs: "I Shaved My Head," "Man with Hands and Ankles Bound," and "Autofiction Detail." "I Shaved My Head" is accompanied by a music video, directed by Steven Paseshnik and the band's own Adam Vass. The video depicts a man's slow unraveling, mirrored by Jordan Dreyer's raw and introspective lyrics against a backdrop of minimal drums and a despairing groove. "I Shaved My Head" opens the album with an unflinching look at self-doubt and identity, setting the stage for the album's heavier themes. Speaking about the album's beginning, Jordan states it begins with a man examining his own slow dissociation from himself while shaving his head alone in a bathroom at night.
The band's signature blend of speak-shouted vocals and vivid storytelling, layered over a progressive post-hardcore soundscape, remains intact, offering a familiar yet evolved sound for longtime listeners.
Before embarking on their North American dates, La Dispute will be touring Europe and the UK in July. The North American tour kicks off September 5th in Detroit, MI, and includes stops in major cities like Toronto, Boston, Brooklyn and Atlanta, wrapping up September 20th in Indianapolis, IN.
La Dispute - 2025 North American Tour Dates:
- 09/05 – Detroit, MI @ St. Andrew’s Hall
- 09/06 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
- 09/07 – Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
- 09/08 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Spirit Hall
- 09/10 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
- 09/11 – Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw
- 09/12 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
- 09/13 – Washington, DC @ Howard Theater
- 09/14 – Charlotte, NC @ Neighborhood Theatre
- 09/16 – Orlando, FL @ The Beacham
- 09/17 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
- 09/18 – Nashville, TN @ Basement East
- 09/19 – Columbus, OH @ King of Clubs
- 09/20 – Indianapolis, IN @ Deluxe at Old National Centre
With a new album on the horizon and a busy tour schedule, La Dispute is poised to reclaim their place as a leading voice in the post-hardcore scene. Will this album mark a turning point in their sonic exploration, or will they stay true to their roots? What themes within the new album will resonate with their dedicated following?
Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below! Are you excited for the new album and tour? Let us know what you think!