Last night, actor Michael Cera released a surprise album through his Bandcamp page titled true that (you can see the album cover above). The 18-track album can be streamed for free right now, or purchased for seven dollars. Digital purchases of the album come with three bonus tracks.
Anyone going into true that expecting something jokey or tossed off (as I did) might find themselves surprised by the album's melancholic atmosphere. Much of the album is instrumental and has a folky, lo-fi, and even somewhat experimental aesthetic similar to the Microphones, the Music Tapes, or Elliott Smith. It's actually very good, though it probably wouldn't garner much attention if Cera weren't already a famous actor, unfortunately.
This solo album isn't the first time that the Arrested Development actor has ventured into the world of music. Back in 2010, he appeared on Weezer's song "Hang On," performing mandolin and backing vocals. In 2011, he joined the Pacific Northwest indie rock supergroup Mister Heavenly as a touring bassist, playing alongside members of Modest Mouse, The Unicorns, and Man Man. Cera also performed bass in the film Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, in which his character Scott Pilgrim is the bassist of a band called Sex Bob-omb.
You can stream the entire album right here:
Check out Weezer's "Hang On" featuring Michael Cera on mandolin and backing vocals:
