Kevin Bronson on January 20th, 2021

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New Weezer song, cue the strings … Wait, say what?

It’s true. While twiddling their thumbs as the pandemic delayed the much-anticipated release of the album “Van Weezer” (originally scheduled for May 2020), Rivers Cuomo and the guys didn’t actually twiddle their thumbs. They made the album “OK Human,” arriving Jan. 29.

And there are strings. The all-analog album features a 38-piece orchestra, with string and horn arrangements by producer Jake Sinclair and arranger Rob Mathes. “OK Human” (wink, Radiohead) is said to be inspired by Cuomo’s affection for the Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds,” as well as records such as Harry Nilsson’s “Nilsson Schmilsson,” Randy Newman’s self-titled debut, the Carpenters’ albums and Francoise Hardy’s “Message Personnel.” There’s nary an electric guitar to be found on “OK Human.”

It will be Weezer’s 14th album, to be followed May 7 by the hard rock album “Van Weezer.” Perhaps optimistically, Weezer has also rescheduled the Hella Mega tour with Green Day and Fall Out Boy. The tour starts July 14 and includes a July 17 date at Dodger Stadium and a July 18 show at San Diego’s Petco Park.

And the first track on the new album is “All My Favorite Songs.” Colin Read directs the video.

||| Watch: The video for “All My Favorite Songs”