You could convince me that Thin Lear’s new single “Witness” came from another generation. The music: Very Lennon, with blissed-out instrumentation, dreamy vocals, and harmonized “ooh-oohs” and “ahh-ahhs”. The lyrics: Somewhere between Bob Dylan and Van Morrison in their storytelling, dancing through the subject of death, both in metaphorical and literal terms.
How it must feel for Thin Lear’s Matt Longo to hear his name among giants! But Longo spared no expense and cut no corners, making “Witness”, which appears on the upcoming record Many Disappeared, out April 24th. Longo recorded the song with Matt Ross-Spang, responsible for producing tracks from Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Iron & Wine, and the late great John Prine. On “Witness”, Ross-Sprang’s clean, shimmering production and Longo’s love for the sounds of 70s songwriters make for a wonderful partnership.
And while you sway to the song, pay close attention to the lyrics, which aren’t as sunny as the music suggests. Longo tells a story of finding a dying cat in the road and being horrified, and then having those same feelings watching a loved one slip away. That’s where the title “Witness” comes in: Being present during a death, no matter whose, has a gravity that sticks with you for a long time.
It’s a truly captivating track, and one you can hear right now in the music video below, as well as when it comes out on Many Disappeared this April. Also, for anyone in the Eastern US, you may have a chance to see Thin Lear perform “Witness” and other tracks live. Check out the tour dates below the video.
Tour dates:
4/25 – Holyoke, MA (De La Luz)
4/26 – Catskill, NY (Avalon Lounge)
4/29 – New Haven, CT (Stella Blues)
5/6 – New York, NY (Night Club 101)
5/7 – Providence, RI (Getties at Fete Music Hall)
5/8 – Somerville, MA (Union Tavern)
5/9 – Portland, ME (Blue Portland Maine)
5/10 – Dover, NH (Auspicious Brew)
5/12 – Rochester, NY (Bar Bad Ending)
5/13 – Buffalo, NY (Area 54)
5/14 – Pittsburgh, PA (Poetry Lounge)
5/16 – Philadelphia, PA (Abyssinia)
5/21 – Bethlehem, PA (Apport Used Books)
5/23 – Baltimore, MD (Holy Frijoles)
5/24 – Charlottesville, VA (Superfly Brewing)
5/26 – Richmond, VA (The Camel)
5/28 – Nashville, TN (TBD)
5/29 – Memphis, TN (Lamplighter Lounge)
5/30 – Knoxville, TN (Blue Plate Special)
Written by Will Sisskind
