Particle Kid, the musical project of Micah Nelson, and producer and recording artist Daniel Lanois have announced The Ocean Floor, an 11-track collaborative album scheduled for release on February 26, 2027, through Loosegroove Records. The announcement includes the lead single “Even the Birds,” accompanied by a music video directed by Nelson.
Key Takeaways
- The Ocean Floor is the first full-length collaborative album from Particle Kid and Daniel Lanois
- The 11-track record is scheduled for release on February 26, 2027, through Loosegroove Records
- “Even the Birds” is the album’s lead single, with an accompanying music video directed by Micah Nelson
- The collaborators worked together during a 10-day recording session at Lanois’ Bella Vista studio in Los Angeles
- Seven live performances have been announced for 2027, beginning February 27 in Los Angeles
Particle Kid and Daniel Lanois Confirm The Ocean Floor Album
Micah Nelson and Daniel Lanois are preparing to release their first full-length collaborative album, The Ocean Floor, through Loosegroove Records on February 26, 2027.
The project brings together Nelson’s work as Particle Kid with Lanois’ experience as a producer, songwriter and recording artist. Nelson has developed his musical identity through independent recordings and performances, while Lanois is known for producing music for artists including U2, Bob Dylan and Peter Gabriel.
The album includes 11 tracks and explores themes of freedom, transcendence and contemporary life. Its musical arrangements combine acoustic instruments with electronic production, reflecting the contributions of both collaborators.
The partnership also joins other artist and producer collaborations involving full-length recordings, including John Legend’s Muse with Pharrell Williams. For The Ocean Floor, Lanois contributes as a recording artist as well as a producer.
Loosegroove Records, the label associated with Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard, will handle the release. The project marks a new chapter in Nelson and Lanois’ recording partnership, with the album announcement accompanied by the release of its first single and plans for live performances.
The Ocean Floor Features 11 Tracks With Experimental Rock Influences
The Ocean Floor combines elements of alternative rock, ambient psychedelia and folk-influenced music across its 11 tracks. The album incorporates acoustic and electric guitars, piano, pedal steel, Mellotron and synthesizers, creating arrangements that combine traditional instrumentation with electronic production.
Nelson and Lanois developed the recordings through a collaborative process that included additional musicians. Particle Kid bassist Aroyn Day, percussionist Kyle Crane and bassist Daryl Johnson contributed to the project.
The musicians’ different instrumental backgrounds informed the arrangements, with guitars, bass and percussion integrated alongside electronic textures and layered vocals.
Rather than following a single musical format, the album moves between restrained arrangements and more instrumentally developed passages. Its production incorporates both live performances and studio techniques.
The record’s themes also reflect Nelson’s interest in the relationship between personal freedom and modern society. According to the album announcement, the songs examine questions of independence, creativity and the possibility of a different relationship with contemporary life.
The full collection is scheduled for release in February 2027, following the introduction of its lead single.
Even the Birds Introduces the Album’s Musical Direction
“Even the Birds” is the first single from The Ocean Floor. Released alongside the album announcement, the track introduces listeners to the collaboration between Nelson and Lanois.
The song features Moog synthesizers, electronic percussion, drum machines and layered vocals. These elements are combined with guitar and bass performances, reflecting the album’s approach to integrating live instrumentation with electronic production.
Nelson has explained that the song originated during a day off while Particle Kid was touring with The Flaming Lips in 2023. While sitting near a river, he observed a bird flying from beneath a bridge before settling in a nearby tree. The experience informed the song’s lyrics, which consider the relationship between freedom, expectations and personal circumstances.
An early demo was recorded while Nelson was traveling. He later shared the recording with Lanois, and elements of the initial version contributed to the completed track.
The single also features bass contributions from Aroyn Day, alongside Nelson’s use of Moog Taurus pedals. These parts complement the song’s electronic percussion and guitar arrangements.
An accompanying music video, directed by Nelson, was released with the single. The video adds a visual interpretation of the song while establishing Nelson’s creative involvement beyond its musical composition.
“Even the Birds” serves as the first released track from the album ahead of the complete 11-song collection.
Recording Sessions Took Place at Daniel Lanois’ Los Angeles Studio
Nelson and Lanois worked on The Ocean Floor during a 10-day recording session at Bella Vista, Lanois’ home studio in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles.
The sessions brought together the two principal collaborators and additional musicians to develop the album’s arrangements. The recording process incorporated earlier musical ideas alongside performances captured with the participating band.
Aroyn Day contributed bass, while Kyle Crane provided percussion. Daryl Johnson also participated as a bassist, bringing additional instrumental experience to the recordings.
Engineer Gerardo Ordonez and Lanois’ longtime collaborator Wayne Lorenz assisted with recording and production work.
The studio sessions allowed Nelson and Lanois to combine live performances with electronic arrangements. Their approach involved developing the material through both instrumental contributions and production techniques, including synthesizer textures and multitracked vocals.
Bella Vista provided a shared recording environment for the musicians, supporting the development of the project’s songs during the concentrated session.
The recording process reflects the collaborative nature of the album, with Nelson and Lanois contributing directly to its musical development alongside the supporting musicians.
Particle Kid and Daniel Lanois Announce 2027 Live Performances
Particle Kid and Daniel Lanois have also announced seven live performances scheduled for 2027 in support of The Ocean Floor.
The first show is planned for February 27 in Los Angeles, one day after the album’s scheduled release. A second performance will take place on February 28 in Joshua Tree, California.
The schedule continues in March with a performance in Portland on March 10, followed by two appearances in Seattle on March 11 and 12. The announced run also includes Dallas on March 20 and Tulsa on March 21.
The performances will bring Nelson and Lanois’ collaborative recordings to live audiences, extending the project beyond its studio release.
Their announced dates are part of the 2027 live concert calendar, which also includes John Mayer’s six scheduled performances at Sphere in Las Vegas.
For Nelson and Lanois, the seven-show schedule places their live collaboration shortly after the release of The Ocean Floor. Additional dates may be announced, although the initial schedule consists of seven performances.
The concerts will provide opportunities for audiences to hear music from the album following its February release.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Will Particle Kid and Daniel Lanois Release The Ocean Floor?
The Ocean Floor is scheduled for release on February 26, 2027, through Loosegroove Records.
How Many Tracks Are Included on The Ocean Floor?
The album contains 11 tracks and represents the first full-length collaborative release from Particle Kid and Daniel Lanois.
What Is the First Single From The Ocean Floor?
“Even the Birds” is the album’s lead single. It features Moog synthesizers, electronic percussion and layered vocals, with an accompanying music video directed by Micah Nelson.
Who Is Particle Kid?
Particle Kid is the musical project of Micah Nelson, an American musician, songwriter and visual artist. He is collaborating with Daniel Lanois on The Ocean Floor.
Where Did Particle Kid and Daniel Lanois Record the Album?
The collaborators worked on the album during a 10-day session at Bella Vista, Daniel Lanois’ home studio in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Will Particle Kid and Daniel Lanois Perform Live in 2027?
Yes. Seven performances have been announced, beginning February 27, 2027, in Los Angeles. The scheduled shows include appearances in California, Oregon, Washington, Texas and Oklahoma.
