International Anthem announces jaimie branch’s final Fly or Die album

Chicago label International Anthem has announced plans to release jaimie branch’s final album with her Fly or Die quartet. The beloved experimental trumpet player, who died at 39 last August, released two Fly or Die studio albums — Fly or Die and Fly or Die II: Bird Dogs of Paradise — as well as one live record (FLY or DIE LIVE) before her passing. Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((world war)) is scheduled for an August 25 arrival, and its lead single, “take over the world,” is out now alongside an intense, Jon Philpot-directed visual treatment.

Recorded in April 2022 during during branch’s residency at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art in Omaha, Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((world war)) features the core Fly or Die four-piece: branch on trumpet and vocals, Lester St. Louis on cello, Jason Ajemian on double bass, and Chad Taylor on percussion (Ajemian and Taylor are founding members; St. Louis replaced the group’s original cellist, Tomeka Reid, starting on Fly or Die II.

“jaimie never had small ideas,” Fly or Die’s remaining members write in a joint statement that will be included in the forthcoming album’s liner notes. “She always thought big. The minute you told her she couldn’t do something, or that something would be too difficult to accomplish, the more determined and focused she became. And this album is big. Far bigger and more demanding — for us, and for you — than any other Fly or Die record. For this, jaimie wanted to play with longer forms, more modulations, more noise, more singing, and as always, grooves and melodies. She was a dynamic melodicist. jaimie wanted this album to be lush, grand and full of life, just as she was. Every time we take a listen, we feel the deep imprint of her all over the music, and we see all of us making it together.”

Watch the “take over the world” video above, and view Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((world war))’s cover art and tracklist below.