Why Is John Grant So Bloody Upset?

John Grant never makes things easy -- for himself or his fans. He's set to release his third solo album Grey Tickles, Black Pressure -- produced by John Congleton (St. Vincent, Swans) and mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound -- and, lyrically and musically, the 12 original songs represent Grant's most ambitious work. We're certain it will cement his reputation as the most brutally honest, caustic, profound and funny diarist of the human condition. But what's up with all the blood and gore?

Of his bloody new press photo, John Grant says with trademark dark humor: "It's what I feel like doing every time someone calls me a faggot. Like Michael Douglas in Falling Down."

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Grey Tickles in the album title, according to press notes, draws direct translation from "midlife crisis" in Icelandic, while "Black Pressure" translates to "nightmare" in Turkish, reflecting the darkly introspective subjects on the album. "I wanted to get moodier and angrier on this record," explains Grant, "but I probably had a lot more fun making it."

Watch the album teaser below: