Nick Thorburn and Mike Stroud are teaming up. Thorburn's resume spans the Unicorns and Islands. Stroud plays in Ratatat, the electronic rock act that's spent most of the last decade in hibernation. Their new collaboration is called the Creem, and they've just unveiled a debut album.
Two tracks have dropped already. The pairing marks an unusual collision of indie sensibilities. Thorburn brings his melodic, art-rock instincts from nearly two decades of band work. Stroud brings the atmospheric electronics and layered production that defined Ratatat's style during their brief active periods.
The Creem project itself remains relatively mysterious at this stage. What's clear is that both artists are emerging from extended periods away from active recording and touring. For Ratatat fans especially, this signals at least some creative momentum from Stroud after years of silence.
The tracks themselves arrive without major label backing or mainstream press blitz, suggesting this is more a personal creative exercise than a calculated industry moment. Two established indie musicians, no hype machine required.