The Drums Drop “Blackstar” with Genesis Owusu: A Deep Dive into Indie-Pop’s Wildest Evolution

If you’ve been following The Drums since the breezy, reverb-heavy surf-rock days of “Let’s Go Surfing” back in 2010, watching Jonny Pierce steer this project into darker, more introspective waters has been quite a ride. Over the last decade and a half, The Drums effectively became a solo venture for Pierce, shifting from jangle-pop nostalgia into devastatingly honest indie-pop therapy sessions—culminating in the gorgeous, raw vulnerability of the 2023 album Jonny.

But lately, Pierce has been doing something unexpected: opening the gates.

Instead of operating strictly as a solitary auteur, Pierce has leaned hard into collaboration. Following a string of intriguing singles featuring artists like Ledbyher, 60 juno, and Mareux, he has just dropped one of the most unexpected crossovers of the year. The brand-new single “Blackstar” features none other than the powerhouse genre-bender Genesis Owusu.

Clocking in at a brisk, punchy two and a half minutes, “Blackstar” isn’t just a casual feature; it’s a high-voltage collision of two distinct musical worlds. Let’s break down why this track is making waves across the indie-pop and alternative music blogosphere, what it means for The Drums’ ongoing evolution, and why you need to add it to your rotation right now.

Inside “Blackstar”: A Masterclass in Tension and Release

From the moment the track kicks off, “Blackstar” establishes a restless, driving momentum that feels entirely urgent. Jonny Pierce has always excelled at writing hooks that mask profound sadness or anxiety underneath shiny pop production, but “Blackstar” feels sharper and more abrasive in the best possible way.

The song opens with a hypnotic, looping refrain that instantly grabs your attention:

“We ain’t got time just to waste time.”

It sets a frantic, modern pace. Enter Genesis Owusu, and the track completely shifts gears. Owusu—who has spent the last few years blowing minds with his fearless blend of punk, hip-hop, funk, and alternative rock (courtesy of brilliant records like Smiling With No Teeth and Struggler)—brings an unmatched, commanding presence to the mix.

His verses cut right through the lush indie-pop atmosphere with razor-sharp wit and biting social commentary:

“You’re a sweet boy acting like a bastard… You are now fucking with a Blackstar. Not a gangsta.”

It’s a lyrical middle-finger to phonies, industry posturing, and the exhausting performance of modern cool. The contrast between Pierce’s signature emotional delivery and Owusu’s fiery, rhythmic cadences creates a magnetic friction. You can tell these two artists weren’t just mailing in isolated vocal stems from across the globe; there’s a palpable chemistry here that feels alive in the room.

Why This Era of Collaboration Is Saving Indie Music

For a long time, the traditional indie-pop playbook was pretty rigid: an artist locks themselves in a studio, pours their heart out alone, and drops a cohesive album every two or three years. While that approach created plenty of classic records, it can also lead to creative stagnation.

Jonny Pierce seems to have recognized this trap and actively decided to blow it up.

By inviting outside voices into The Drums’ universe, Pierce is injecting fresh blood into a catalog that could have easily settled into a comfortable, predictable formula. Think about the recent run of collaborative tracks:

• “Yes&No” with Ledbyher brought a sleek, electronic edge.

• “Isolation” with 60 juno leaned into moody, nocturnal atmosphere.

• “It Didn’t Matter” with Mareux tapped straight into darkwave nostalgia.

• And now, “Blackstar” with Genesis Owusu shatters any remaining genre boundaries, proving that The Drums can hang just as comfortably in a gritty alternative rap-rock space as they can in bedroom pop.

This collaborative pivot feels generous and refreshing. It shows an artist who is secure enough in his own identity to share the microphone, letting creative friction pull unexpected brilliance out of both parties.

Production, Credits, and Where to Listen

Behind the boards, “Blackstar” is a tight, polished piece of work. Released via Abysmal Records, the track is produced by Jonny Pierce himself, showcasing his continued growth as a sonic architect. The mixing and mastering—handled by the powerhouse team of Dave Weingarten and Joe LaPorta—ensure that every bass groove, synth line, and vocal punch cuts through cleanly without losing its gritty underground edge.

• Artist: The Drums & Genesis Owusu

• Single Title: “Blackstar”

• Release Date: October 2026

• Label: Abysmal Records

• Producer: Jonny Pierce

• Engineers/Mastering: Dave Weingarten & Joe LaPorta

You can stream “Blackstar” right now across all major streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal. If you’re building a playlist for late-night drives or high-energy workouts, this one belongs near the top.

What’s Next for The Drums?

With every new single drop throughout 2026, fans have been left guessing: Is a full-length collaborative album on the way?

While neither Pierce nor his camp have officially confirmed a complete tracklist or a new LP release date, the steady stream of high-profile team-ups strongly suggests that a larger project is brewing. If “Blackstar” is any indication of the creative altitude The Drums are currently operating at, whatever comes next is going to be a mandatory listen for alternative music fans.

Jonny Pierce has spent over a decade proving he can survive heartbreak, industry changes, and reinvention. By teaming up with artists like Genesis Owusu, he’s proving something even better: he’s still having fun, and he’s still dangerous.