Strange Pains, the project of Empty Country drummer Ted Bradley, have released their new album ‘The Diamond District I’ today, October 16, alongside a new single and video for ‘Special Thing’. The nine-track record is the first half of a planned double album, with the second part expected in 2027.

We featured ‘Lucifer Disguised’ back in September, when Bradley talked about writing the song shortly after moving to Providence. ‘Special Thing’ takes a different approach. It’s a love song, though much of it deals with the strange ways we imagine and remember the people closest to us. The song begins quietly before opening into a much bigger chorus, with backing vocals from Meredith Sheldon. Seth Kasper plays drums and Andrew Futral handles bass. Bradley recently described it as his favourite song on the record. ‘The Diamond District I’ was produced, engineered and mixed by Joseph D’Agostino of Cymbals Eat Guitars and Empty Country. Bradley spent six years writing the material, working on songs in Somerville, Brooklyn and Providence. There are big guitars and strong melodies throughout, although the lyrics often leave plenty for the listener to figure out.