Teased single ‘Come a Little Closer’

Cage the Elephant regrouped in the studio to record their third album Melophobia (meaning “fear of music”). The album’s lead single ” Come a Little Closer ” was teased via their YouTube channel on August 1, 2013, and premiered in full on August 8, 2013. It was released on iTunes for purchase on August 13. In an interview with iHeartRadio during Lollapalooza 2013 , Matt Shultz revealed the title of the upcoming album. Melophobia was released on October 8, 2013, The album debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 albums chart on its first week of release to largely positive reviews. Brian Mansfield of USA Today designated it “Album of the Week,” summarizing that ” Melophobia may mean ‘fear of music,’ but there’s nothing to be afraid of: Its glorious chaos makes for thrilling listening. However Shultz mentioned in an interview with Billboard that Melophobia is not a fear of music, rather, “It’s a fear of creating music under false pretenses, catering to cool, or writing to project some sort of image that’s based upon social standards…[It’s] trying to sound artistic, poetic or intellectual, rather than just trying to communicate an honest thought or feeling or story.” “Take It or Leave It” and ” Cigarette Daydreams ” were released on March 24, 2014, and August 26, 2014, respectively. “Come a Little Closer” and “Cigarette Daydreams” both went on to claim the number 1 position on the alternative airplay. The band toured with Muse as an opening act in the fall of 2013. On August 24, 2013, the band performed Melophobia in its entirety live at Soundcheck Nashville in front of an intimate audience of friends and family. The band also performed the songs “Spiderhead” and “Come A Little Closer” live on Los Angeles radio station KROQ.