Interpol have released 'Iron City', the third single from their forthcoming ninth album 'This Mirror Weighs A Ton', due out on 28 August via Partisan Records. The atmospheric track engages directly with the subject of artificial intelligence, framed by frontman Paul Banks as a conversation between a human narrator and a future AI that is "running things", with the song switching between the two perspectives. The release matters as a notable example of a major indie band reflecting on AI's growing cultural presence, with Banks offering a measured rather than fearful view of the technology's impact on art.

Musically, 'Iron City' features Paul Banks' lyrics evoking recurring dreams and walks through Central Park, set against interlocking guitars, a propulsive rhythm section and the refrain "I can feel your love, iron city". Banks argued that AI can only imitate existing human work and would "devolve into a simulacra" without fresh human creativity, though he conceded its military applications were "a bit sketchier". The album, which follows the Massive Attack-inspired title track and single 'See Out Loud', was produced by Andrew Wyatt and mixed by Dave Fridmann; Interpol will play All Points East x Outbreak in London on 23 August, supporting Deftones, before a UK and European co-headline arena tour with Bloc Party, including two nights at London's Olympia on 4 and 5 December.