Damon McMahon has officially wrapped up his Amen Dunes project with the release of his final album, Death Jokes II. This new album revisits and strips back tracks from his previous work, Death Jokes, collaborating with producer Craig Silvey.
In a poignant farewell, McMahon remarked, “This is the last chapter of the final volume. Goodbye, I’ve barely said a word to you, but it’s always like that at parties—we never really see each other, we never say the things we should like to; in fact, it’s the same everywhere in this life. Let’s hope that when we are dead, things will be better arranged.”
McMahon founded Amen Dunes in 2006 with the release of D.I.A., an album characterized by 8-track recordings that reflected his unique pop sensibilities paired with an alienated production style. After signing to Sacred Bones, he gained recognition for a series of cult favorite albums, including Through Donkey Jaw and the critically acclaimed Love, which showcased his evolution into a prominent figure in indie-pop. This trajectory culminated in his signing with Sub Pop, leading to the release of Death Jokes, an album three years in the making that fused elements of electronic and hip-hop music into the Amen Dunes sound.
In discussing Death Jokes, McMahon shared, “The most I can say is the songs have little to do with actual death, and more about the death of your insides.” With the release of Death Jokes II, fans can expect a thoughtful closing to the innovative journey of Amen Dunes.
