Donald Glover is a true renaissance man. From his role as Troy Barnes on Community, to the wild swings of FX classic Atlanta, and even his forays into spyhood with Mr. & Mrs Smith, his talents are perhaps most well-associated with his rap persona, Childish Gambino. He just recently released “Atavista,” a remastered, completed version of the oft-overlooked quarantine LP, then-known as “3.15.20.”

News had hit the media earlier this year that 2024 would see a Gambino double drop, first with the aforementioned Atavista, and his hotly-anticipated final record, “Bando Stone & the New World.” Being the mixed media mogul that Glover is, the release wouldn’t be as straightforward as a simple album release. No, Bando Stone would in fact have a theatrical release thanks in part to his long-time collaborator, Hiro Murai, who along with writer Evi Wilder, have completed a film in which the record will double as a soundtrack. Glover, of course, will star as the titular Bando Stone himself. He recently teased the premiere of the two-minute IMAX trailer on Instagram, which would debut just before A Quiet Place: Day One.

And just today, we’ve received the first official single off the record/soundtrack, entitled “Lithonia.” Bino teased the very catchy chorus via Instagram Story, but the song proves to be even more explosive in its entirety. “Cody LaRae/He had a break/ He’s finding out/ That nobody gives a fuck!” he begins, soaring atop contemplative piano keys. His impassioned pleading takes a turn as guitar passages appear on the scene – a surprising sonic gambit akin to the likes of his rock opera, “Me & Your Mama.” The chorus positively levitates as the instrumental elements elevate the intensity of Glover’s delivery to that of a stadium anthem. As to just who Cody LaRae is, and his connection to the eponymous mother Lithonia remains to be seen. But the lyrics should be much more self-evident as an accompaniment to the film whose release date has yet to be revealed. Childish Gambino begins his New World Tour this summer in North America, Europe, and Oceania, supported by Amaarae and Willow. Bando Stone & The New World releases July 19th.