Brooklyn-based artist Elijah Wolf has released the title track and music video from his upcoming album Brighter Lighting, out February 26 via Trash Casual Records. “Brighter Lighting” features contributions from Wilco guitarist Nels Cline, Josh Jaeger (drummer for Angel Olsen & Fleet Foxes), and Sam Cohen (Kevin Morby, Sharon Van Etten), who also produced the album. On the song, Wolf says:
“This song came so naturally and I had felt like it summed up the record nicely as a whole. I had spent quite some time reflecting on the experience writing my first record before this one, which was a deeply lonely and personal one. This song is about looking back on those days and how life has moved far past them. It’s about taking those experiences and moving forward.”
“Brighter Lighting” opens with Jaeger’s soft drumming and a bright, steady piano melody played by Wolf. His warm vocals soon join in, recalling the members of Dr. Dog and Kevin Morby. Cline’s intricate guitar work, heavily featured towards the track’s end, adds a playful energy to its otherwise introspective mood.
The music video, meanwhile, is pure retro. Filmed on a Super 8 camera by Wolf’s friend Dylan Kaplowitz, the video cuts together scenes of Wolf over a day around his upstate New York hometown. Expanding on the connection between song and video, Wolf reveals:
“I grew up in Phoenicia, New York, nestled up in the Catskill Mountains. Throughout my life, the geography and botanical offerings have provided great comfort for me. It is here that I gained my great wonder and curiosity for the world, as well as the place I continuously return to when things get dark and uncertain. [The song] is about understanding the past, so that one may look forward with wide eyes. I asked [Kaplowitz]… to document a full day with me, revisiting these sacred places; each one with great significance to my life.”
To celebrate the album’s release, Wolf will perform for Rough Trade Transmissions on February 9 at 6:00 pm ET, and a special album release show via NOONCHORUS on March 10 at 8:30 pm ET. Tickets are on sale now.
Elijah Wolf’s Brighter Lighting comes out on February 26 through Trash Casual Records. You can find him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
