GIFT Unveil New Album ‘Frenzy For The Thrill,’ Share Lead Single “Hand To The Flame”

GIFT received Band To Watch status on the strength of their 2024 psych/shoegaze/electronic pop-rock hybrid Illuminator . Today, having finally released Illuminator remixes by all 8 billion human beings on Earth, the New York band is back to announce a new album.

When Frenzy For The Thrill arrives in January, it will complete an arc that stretches back two years. The album began to take shape in January 2025, when frontman TJ Freda's planned relaxing visit to Los Angeles was altered by the raging wildfires that were consuming Southern California at the time, a crisis that sparked a creative outpouring from Freda. Central to that process was lead single "Hand To The Flame," a sleek but hard-hitting track on which the drums, synths, and heavy guitars each get their spotlight moments.

Freda explains the lyrics:

> "Hand To The Flame" is holding onto passion, and what makes us human while the world falls apart. Desperately chasing passion in a passionless world. Like charging full speed towards something you know will eventually hurt you. Repeatedly putting your hand in the flame with the same outcome, knowing it will always be the same outcome but hoping it will be different. There's romance in the chase, regardless of whether or not its going to hurt when you get to the end.

The "Hand To The Flame" video, directed by Sydney VillacortaBuer, features both hands and flames, but fortunately I don't think they ever come together. Watch below.

_Originally reported by [Stereogum](https://stereogum.com/2511462/gift-announce-new-album-frenzy-for-the-thrill-hear-hand-to-the-flame/music/)._