Puscifer has released their new album, *Normal Isn’t*, and as always, Maynard James Keenan and the band have taken a fresh approach. Keenan shared that their goal was to create something different from their last album. “The challenge we set for ourselves is to do something different,” he said. “It’s about pushing ourselves creatively.”
This time, Keenan and bandmate Mat Mitchell switched up their songwriting process. Usually, Mitchell presents ideas for Keenan to react to, but for some tracks, Keenan took the lead. “I handed him my ideas, and he interpreted them, making them even better,” Keenan explained.
*Normal Isn’t* has a different vibe compared to their previous album, *Existential Reckoning*. While the last album felt like a wild dance party during the apocalypse, this one dives into the aftermath of that chaos. “The last one was more cinematic, trying to expand your view,” Keenan said. “This one is definitely more like Mad Max. We’re scrambling for gasoline.”
The album is not shy about its message. In the song “Self Evident,” Keenan opens with the blunt line, “You’re an idiot.” He believes in being straightforward: “At some point, you just have to say it. Trying to dress it up isn’t working, so f* it. You’re a dumba.”
*Normal Isn’t* is out now, and Puscifer will kick off a U.S. tour in March.
