Ears Wide Open: Kevin Morby

Seraphina Lotkhamnga on December 12th, 2013

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Nice and slow is Kevin Morby‘s new motto. The bassist for Woods and co-founder of the Babies sets out on a solo endeavor with his debut “Harlem River,” and it’s a velvet-smooth ride. As an homage to New York City, his home for five years until he recently relocated to Los Angeles, the songs that flow on “Harlem River” are more intimate than the works of his main bands. In fact, the way he elongates his vowels alone – “slo-o-o-w” – on his second single “Slow Train, entices listeners to soak up the quiet drama. “Release the fire out of me / I don’t want to burn from the inside,” he repeats as if trains pass him by no matter how long he cries out. But for the last chorus in the song, Welsh singer Cate Le Bon (and current tour mate) joins him on the platform to make the following lyrics less lonely: “I am lost all around / I’m barely on the ground.” Lonesome but beautiful. “Harlem River” is out now via Woodsist.

||| Stream: “Slow Train” featuring Cate Le Bon and “Miles, Miles, Miles”