After all sorts of traumatic tease, Arcade Fire today released the title song and official video from their new album entitled Reflektor scheduled to be released on October 29th.  At 7:42 long, the song continues to grow on you as it plays out.   In addition to the usual winning vocals by Win Butler, the song features Regine Butler singing in French and added vocals of David Bowie (which can be heard most prominently from the 4:56 mark on).  We’ll get back to you on the meaning of the video’s visuals, although we’re pretty sure the above graphic represents some kind of anagram homage to this website.  Check out the full lyrics of the song at bottom, which seem to be a timely indictment of life and human-relationships in the devolving “smart”-phone gestalt.

The new album was produced by LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, and the new song bears his strong imprimatur.  After the official video, check out the Behind the Scenes video behind the video, which was directed by Anton Corbijn (Tom Waits, etc.).  All bodes well for the new album.  Word has also arrived that Arcade Fire will appear on the season opener of Saturday Night Live.

“[Verse 1]
Trapped in a prism, in a prism of light
Alone in the darkness, darkness of white
We fell in love, alone on a stage
In the reflective age

[Pre-Chorus – Régine Chassagne]
Entre la nuit, la nuit et l’aurore.
Entre le royaume des vivants et des morts.
If this is heaven
I don’t know what it’s for
If I can’t find you there
I don’t care

[Chorus]
I thought I found a way to enter
It’s just a Reflektor (It’s just a Reflektor)
I thought I found the connector
It’s just a Reflektor (It’s just a Reflektor)

[Verse 2]
Now, the signals we send, are deflected again
We’re still connected, but are we even friends?
We fell in love when I was nineteen
And now we’re staring at a screen.

[Pre-Chorus – Variation – Régine Chassagne]
Entre la nuit, la nuit et l’aurore.
Entre le royaume des vivants et des morts.
If this is heaven
I need something more
Just a place to be alone
Cause you’re my home

[Chorus]

[Bridge 1]
It’s just a reflection of a reflection
Of a reflection of a reflection
Will I see you on the other side?
We all got things to hide
It’s just a reflection of a reflection
Of a reflection of a reflection
Will I see you on the other side?
We all got things to hide

[Verse 3]
Alright, let’s go back
Our song escapes, on neon silver discs
Our love is plastic, we’ll break it to bits
I want to break free, but will they break me?
Down, down, down
Don’t mess around

[Chorus]

[Bridge 2]
Thought you would bring me to the resurrector
Turns out it was just a Reflektor (It’s just a Reflektor)
Thought you would bring to me the resurrector
Turns out it was just a Reflektor (It’s just a Reflektor)
Thought you would bring to me the resurrector
Turns out it was just a Reflektor (It’s just a Reflektor)

[Outro]
It’s a Reflektor
It’s just a Reflektor
Just a Reflektor
Will I see you on the other side?
It’s just a Reflektor
Will I see you on the other side?
We all got things to hide
It’s just a Reflektor
Will I see you on the other side?