Song of the Day: Kevin Morby - Come to Me Now

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on The Morning Show with John Richards, is "Come to Me Now," by Kevin Morby from his 2017 album City Music, out on Dead Oceans.

Kevin Morby - Come to Me Now (MP3)

Kevin Morby has carved out a niche over the course of four solo albums as a generous songwriter and lyricist, a chronicler of details from city and rural life. Morby's latest, City Music, finds him reflecting on city landscapes and experiences, as well as old friends which take the form of ghosts. "Come to Me Now," today's Song of the Day, is emblematic of Morby's gift of imbuing songs with an air of religiosity, using space and gaps to conjure images of spectral lovers and rotted city structures.

City Music was Morby's first album recorded with his talented live band, which consists of Meg Duffy (guitar), Justin Sullivan (drums), and Cyrus Gengras (bass). Recorded near Stinson Beach, California, and produced by the ubiquitous Richard Swift, the album greatly benefits from the symbiotic relationship between players and instruments. Duffy's guitar, in particular, adds layers of texture and melody, ringing softly against Morby's resonant voice. Though "Come to Me Now" is not as guitar-laden as the titular "City Music" or "Crybaby," the guitar rings in and out of earshot acting as Morby's past love, glistening organ and drums taking the track to its conclusion.

Kevin Morby will play two nights at the Tractor Tavern, on August 20 and 21. The show on August 21 is sold-out. For more information, check out Morby's website and Facebook. For a preview of his live set, here is Morby's KEXP in-studio from just last year, playing tracks off Singing Saw.