Dylan Perkons - "Desert Island"

Every now and then I hear a song that just GUTS me. The first track off Dylan Perkons upcoming LP, The Healing Day, which he recorded at Port William Sound with Reductive Reviews fave Jonas Bonnetta (aka Evening Hymns) landed in my inbox yesterday and the text accompanying the link to the track gives the following background:

“Desert Island” comes from my own tendency to go inward and seek isolation in times of emotional distress, partnered with the need to be seen and heard and share this life with people I love. It touches on the struggle between these two things – both the immense capacity of vulnerability, and the shame that’s often felt when we isolate ourselves.

I'm gutted because it 100% speaks to my own experience and something I wrestle with and puts it to music. The way the lyrics more from "oh you know / oh you know / I'm better off alone" to "oh you know / oh you know / I'm grateful for love" gets me every time and even typing it up my throat constricts and my tear ducts fill.

Evening Hymns - "Arrows (Official Video)"

I can't speak highly enough of this record. Still wish it made the shortlist. While this isn't the image I had in my head when I first heard "Arrows" it certainly matches the music.

Evening Hymns - "You and Jake (live at Jake's Woodshop)"

I won't be releasing my annual Top 20 albums and songs until my good friend and UMFM Station Manager Jared McKetiak and I do our annual countdown show on New Year's Eve. But here's a hint as to what's going to be on the list:

Evening Hymns - You And Jake - Live At Jake's Woodshop from NOW Magazine on Vimeo.

Evening Hymns - "Family Tree"

I will be writing about the new Evening Hymns album at some point on Ear To The Sound, but for now, check out the first video from the forthcoming record, Spectral Dusk.

Evening Hymns - "Asleep In The Pews"

First song from the forthcoming LP, Spectral Dusk.

Download it now. Love it for always.