Athens band Georgia Dish Boys' sound is familiar yet unorthodox, a viscous blend of alt-country twang, noise-rock squall, outsider folk and Southern gothic allure. On last year's Get Gone, the group led with massive rock hooks and showcased frontman Seth Martin's laryngitic yowl.

The band is set to return Dec. 6 with Nine Song Movie, an album recorded by engineer Chris Byron in a single seven-hour session back in April. Today, we're pleased to premiere the new album's first single, the tattered ballad "Birds So Blue," which finds the Boys exploring a steadier sound that deftly blends their many musical personalities.

"It's a love song to town," says Martin of the tune. "I grew up a couple counties over in Graniteville, and we used to come to Athens all the time. I always wanted to live here. Now, I do."

Stream "Birds So Blue":