Just a couple of weeks ago we brought you the whimsically sardonic “Traffic!” from Texan songwriter Katy Kirby, and she’s already back with another glimpse of what’s to come on her debut album Cool Dry Place. This time around she’s shared the title track, saying:
“I had a very fun habit of getting involved with someone and then getting cagey once they needed or just wanted me more than I was comfortable with. I thought this was very intelligent of me, being smart enough to know when to get out, before I got close enough to lose objectivity. I suppose it isn’t a terrible rule of thumb, considering that people are statistically dangerous. But this song was me beginning to see my own needs, in an embarrassingly transparent way. I too, am nothing more than a meatbag of vulnerabilities.”
While her explanation of “Cool Dry Place” reads as quite self-critical, the song itself takes a much more soothing and understanding approach. From quiet musings with muted guitar, Katy Kirby and her players gently stir the song by gradually adding drums and atmospheric melodies, while the singer projects her voice further into the song as she comes to accept her shortcomings. By the time the song reaches its clattering climax, the simple request of being kept in a “Cool Dry Place” transcends its humble, homely origin to become something genuinely heartwarming and endearing.
Katy Kirby’s debut album Cool Dry Place arrives on February 19 via Keeled Scales. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
