Birds of Tokyo have always gone big when it comes to engaging with their fans. Over the weekend, Australia’s beloved rockers launched their new album Human Design as part of internationally-broadcast TV concert “Music From The Home Front – For The Fight Against Covid-19”. 

A broadcast highlight, Birds of Tokyo were joined (virtually) by West Australian Symphony Orchestra to create a unique version of the band’s hit single ‘Unbreakable’, their first taste of Human Design back in late 2018.

The performance was a stunning tease of things to come with the band recently announcing rescheduled dates for their Symphonic Tour, now kicking off in January 2021.

Serving as their first studio album since 2016’s BRACE, Human Design is a powerful release. Jam-packed with hits like ‘Unbreakable’, ‘Good Lord’, ‘The Greatest Mistakes’ and ‘Two Of Us’, the entire record is BOT in their finest form.

More personal than ever – ‘Good Lord’ bluntly recounts the breakdown of frontman Ian Kenny’s marriage – Human Design levels up in its honesty, making for a raw collection of heartbreak and resilience.

With four years between records, some more fair-weather fans may forget all the accolades Birds of Tokyo have clocked up over the years. The band has had eleven singles make the triple j Hottest 100, they’ve won APRA’s songwriting award for Rock Work Of The Year six times since 2012 and are nominated for two APRA awards for this year’s ceremony, taking place next month.

Stream the record below, then check out why the staff here at Tone Deaf love it so much.

LISTEN: Birds of Tokyo, ‘Human Design’

“Arguably one of the strongest releases of their career to date, Human Design sees emotional vulnerability at the forefront of Birds Of Tokyo’s classic sound, exploring new ground and serving as a powerful, cathartic record.”
– Tyler Jenke

Human Design is a triumphant celebration to the resilience of human spirit. The album finds Birds of Tokyo pushing with intensity towards the light. It’s the unrelenting hope we all need right now.
– Geordie Gray

“Borne from a place of pain, Human Design sees Ian Kenny and co. diving deep into the well of raw emotions to craft a record that is as powerful as it is hopeful, making it stand as one of the year’s most important releases.”
– Brittany Jenke

BIRDS OF TOKYO SYMPHONIC TOUR 2021

WEST AUSTRALIAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

THU JAN 14  /  PERTH CONCERT HALL

FRI JAN 15   /  PERTH CONCERT HALL

SAT JAN 16  /  PERTH CONCERT HALL

MELBOURNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

FRI JAN 22 / ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE, HAMER HALL

SAT JAN 23 / ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE, HAMER HALL

SYDNEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

THU FEB 4 / SYDNEY TOWN HALL

FRI FEB 5  /  SYDNEY TOWN HALL

SAT FEB 6 /  SYDNEY COLISEUM THEATRE, WEST HQ

QUEENSLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

FRI FEB 12 / QPAC CONCERT HALL, BRISBANE

SAT FEB 13 / QPAC CONCERT HALL, BRISBANE

BRISBANE FAN PRE-SALE via birdsoftokyo.com – Monday April 27 (10am local time)
GENERAL PUBLIC ON SALE – Friday May 1 (10am local time)

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