Iron & Wine probably needs no introduction. The moniker of folk strummer and couplet philosopher Sam Beam has been a mainstay of the indie scene for a very long time, turning out wonderful and honest folk music long before the fleet footed foxes of Mumford and his sons stormed that particular niche and has continued to do so after its all calmed down a little. It was never more apparent than with Beast Epic, the gorgeous LP released last year that triumphed in step back it took towards the simple roots of what made Iron & Wine's early music so damn fulfilling.
Clearly the music and lyrics have returned to Beam in earnest, with even more music via an EP entitled Weed Garden scheduled for later this month.
"What Hurts Worse" is its lead single and it's in no way a criticism to say it's more of the same. Beam is at his best when the touching lyrics that come to him so easily are melded with straightforward but utterly affecting melodies and guitar motifs. It's what made Beast Epic such a return to form and what turns the corners of your mouth up at hearing the the plodding, fingerpicked guitar and Beam's breathy vocals on "What Hurts Worse."
"Let's become the lovers we want," he muses gently, "life going by like we care." His ability to fuse the transcendent and the trivial into succinct pearls of wisdom is never unwelcome. Weed Garden is out through Sub Pop on August 31st.
SIMILAR SONGS
