Arcade Fire Embrace Life’s Joy in Year of the Snake Video
Arcade Fire have unveiled the jubilant single "Year of the Snake," paired with a video that radiates pure delight. In it, the band’s frontman Win Butler and multi-instrumentalist Régine Chassagne roam freely, zipping through supermarket aisles in shopping carts and reveling in life’s simple pleasures.
For "Year of the Snake," the duo stepped into fresh roles—Butler traded his usual spot for the drum kit, while Chassagne plucked away at the bass guitar. The song first echoed through the air on March 13 during the band’s set at Willie Nelson’s Luck festival, hinting at the energy to come. It’s a taste of their forthcoming album Pink Elephant, set to drop on May 9—their first full-length effort in three years.
The Pink Elephant tracklist features ten songs, including festival favorites "Ride or Die" and the titular "Pink Elephant." Curiously, their recently reworked "Cars and Telephones"—penned back in 2001 and polished in 2025—didn’t make the cut. Here’s the lineup:
- "Open Your Heart or Die Trying"
- "Pink Elephant"
- "Year of the Snake"
- "Circle of Trust"
- "Alien Nation"
- "Beyond Salvation"
- "Ride or Die"
- "I Love Her Shadow"
- "She Cries Diamond Rain"
- "Stuck in My Head"
Described as a “cinematic mystic punk” journey, Pink Elephant takes its name from the paradox of thought suppression—push something away, and it looms larger. The band promises a “sonic odyssey,” weaving a meditation on darkness, light, and the beauty within.
Their last release, We, hit shelves in 2022, a year shadowed by controversy when four fans accused Win Butler of misconduct—claims the band firmly denies. While a full “cancellation” never took hold, and Arcade Fire still grace festival stages, the fallout saw Beck and Feist step back from opening their 2022 tour. Some fans argue the scandal dimmed their star, curbing grander shows; others chalk up any dip to We being a less-than-stellar chapter. Either way, Pink Elephant signals a bold stride forward.
