Do you ever think about the fact that you're still alive? It's an easy thing to take for granted, but it's not guaranteed. I've had close calls, and you probably have, too. Sometimes, its worthwhile just to slow down, breathe air, and remind yourself that your continued existence on this planet is some kind of miracle. That's the subject of Kevin Morby's new song "Die Young," which is not a Kesha cover.
Morby is getting ready to release Little Wide Open, the new album that he recorded with the National member and superstar producer Aaron Dessner. Lots of big-deal musicians helped out on the record, and lead single "Javelin" is just gorgeous. Today, Morby follows it with "Die Young," a warm and reflective sigh of a song that sets his craggy voice and acoustic guitar against violins from Big Thief collaborator Mat Davidson. Here's what Morby says about the track in a press release:
A lot of this album is me reflecting on my time spent on the road as an adult. Being a touring musician as a career has made for a sometimes complicated lifestyle and in so many ways has proven to be pretty dangerous. I started doing this professionally when I was 19, and sometimes I can’t believe that 20 years later I’m still here. This song acts as a love letter not only to the road and all of my travel companions over the past two decades, but also to Katie [Crutchfield], who I met playing shows when we were very young. Sometimes it’s amazing to zoom out and remember where we began compared to where we’re at today — both as romantic partners and songwriters.
Aw. Morby co-directed the "Die Young" video with Zak Gorsuch and Chantal Anderson. The clip shows him rocking an unbelievably cool fringed American flag jacket and traipsing through a field of sunflowers in the magic hour. Check it out below.
Little Wide Open is out 5/15 on Dead Oceans.
