Today, The Slaps — the DIY trio of of guitarist Rand Kelly, bassist Ramsey Bell, and drummer Josh Resing — share “Wettest Wing,” a new single that expands upon their unique marriage of jazzy post-rock improvisation and threadbare, atmospheric folk.

Sublimely autumnal, it posits some lovely hypotheticals: what if Jaco Pastorius joined a slowcore band? Or Calvin Johnson was signed to ECM? Or Mount Eerie were tapped to record a new soundtrack to It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown? It’s a trip – Listen to “Wettest Wing” here.

The Slaps say, “‘Wettest Wing’ is a song of perpetual build and release. It is taking a walk, it is making a fire with wet wood, it is blue, it is water tension. It is a very capable song.” 

Following 2024’s Mudglimmer — “a delightful surprise” (KEXP) of an album that saw the band reinvent themselves by doubling-down on their avant-garde impulses and emerging with a raw, expressive, and idiosyncratic sound — The Slaps have kept busy.

Following their own extensive headlining tour and a ripping KEXP session, the “burgeoning post-rock group” (Line Of Best Fit) began moonlighting as the backing band for aspiring Replacements biopic writer Finn Wolfhard. 

Earlier this year, they shared Mud Tracks, an EP of knotted ambience and uncanny soundscapes. The collection featured a remix from another Chicago legend, Sam Prekop of The Sea and Cake.

The Slaps are currently on the road, in the midst of a nearly sold-out tour with Post Animal. They play at Music Hall of Williamsburg tonight, but return to NYC for a December 18 headline show at Nightclub 101. See all upcoming tour dates below.