Iron & Wine has promised to release a “pop record” if current album sessions go to plan.
Real name Sam Beam, Iron & Wine began recording homespun vignettes onto primitive equipment. Since then, though, a cult following has spring up around his deep, melancholic laments.
A rightfully lauded songwriter, Iron & Wine are currently recording a new album which could finally break into the mainstream. Speaking to Spin, songwriter Sam Beam explained that: “It’s more of a focused pop record”.
“It sounds like the music people heard in their parent’s car growing up… that early-to-mid-’70s FM, radio-friendly music.”
However those expecting something slick could well be disappointed. It seems that Iron & Wine’s vision of “radio-friendly music” also contains some rather more outré elements including African percussion and scorching brass.
Recorded over a period of nine months, the ten tracks were developed over time with assistance from long time producer Brian Deck.
Forthcoming album ‘Kiss Each Other Clean’ is not intended as a pop statement. Containing members of New York ensemble Antibalas, the track ‘Me And Lazarus’ is a dark, Biblically inspired tale.
Speaking to Spin, Sam Beam revealed that the track is about “Lazarus, the character from the bible, coming back to life and not having anywhere to go”.
“That song was born out of a lot of my friends who were ready to leave America, almost like the ’60s jump to Canada, when shit wasn’t going so great. I reacted, ‘Where else would you go?’ Life is similar everywhere you go.”
Iron & Wine are set to release ‘Kiss Each Other Clean’ in January.
