While we were all stuffing our faces with food, unwrapping presents and spending time with the family, Netherfriends was hard at work on a brand new album that was just released on Saturday.

As Shawn Rosenblatt, the main man behind the Chicago psych-pop outfit, explains on his blog, the new album, titled Alap, isn’t a typical Netherfriends release. He goes on to explain…

This album is basically an improv album with elements of ambient and drone. It is entitled Alap, which is a term used in Indian classical music for a section that is improvised and free flowing. The recording of this album was something I did for a week during Christmas because I don’t celebrate and I was bored out of my mind!!

Rosenblatt recorded one song a day, which makes since considering the tracks are simply named after the days of the week, and was inspired by a set he recently played at a local yoga studio. You can name your price and download Alap right now at Netherfriends’ bandcamp page.

In other Netherfriends news, they contributed a very indie-pop rendition of Ice T’s hardcore gangster anthem “Cop Killer” to the The Glorification of Gangster Mixtape, which is a collection of remixes, mashups and cover songs that, “exemplify the media’s celebration of organized crime throughout history.” Along with Netherfriends, Chicago’s Loyal Divide contributes a cover of The Clash’s “The Guns Of Brixton”. Listen to both tracks Gangsterglory.bandcamp.com.

Finally, Netherfriends are wrapping up their ambitious 50 Songs/50 States project this winter and early spring. Check out all the national dates they’ve lined up for February and March here. Plus, don’t forget to check out Netherfriends this Thursday, January 6, at Subterranean for their last show in Chicago until May.