Scottish slowcore duo Arab Strap [ tickets ] will tackle a number of North American shows in support of their just-released new album, "The Last Romance."

The 18-city tour primarily will hit small clubs in major markets, and kicks off Feb. 23 in Los Angeles. The band is currently touring in Europe, the full itinerary of which is available at Arab Strap's website.

Released in early February, "The Last Romance" is the band's first release for the indie Transdreamer label, and follows 2003's "Monday at the Hug and Pint."

Arab Strap was formed in 1995 in Scotland, and made a splash with its debut single, "The First Big Weekend," which Britain's Radio One immediately dubbed "best record of the decade." The band's first full album, "The Week Never Starts Round Here," followed in 1997. "The Last Romance" is Arab Strap's sixth full album of original material.

An mp3 of "Dream Sequence," the first single from the new album, is available as a free download from the band's label website.