The new Kevin Morby album, Oh My God, out tomorrow via Dead Oceans and Secretly Canadian, is easily the singer's best yet. That he is clearly riding a whole Leonard Cohen-vibe on this record is something to note, even if it results in some lovely music and not just the sort of derivative rock that one sat through in the last few decades from guys wanting to sing like, say, Lou Reed.
On the title cut, and the spry "No Halo", the one-time member of Woods and The Babies pursues a singularly beautiful mood, imaging a new sort of balladry, one that owes debts to Cohen, sure, but which stands firmly on its own. Elsewhere, the nearly-jaunty "Hail Mary" made me think of numbers from Nilsson and John Lennon some decades ago, even if Morby's lyrical concerns are grim Tom Waits-stuff, while the laconic "Sing a Glad Song" sees Morby offer up the modern equivalent of a torch song. Rarely does any of Oh My God seem too precious, and that's largely thanks to Morby's gift with a hook. So much of this is easy to sink into that one is rarely bored with any of the melodies here, even if Morby sounds at time like he's feeling a bit sorry for himself.
Oh My God is just the right kind of serious, with Kevin Morby wisely letting these well-crafted pieces charm one after another. Taken as a whole, the album stands as easily the best thing Morby's done so far as a solo artist. Mature, thoughtful, and lush, the music here on Oh My God is entirely affecting.
Oh My God is out tomorrow via Secretly Canadian and Dead Oceans.
More details on Kevin Morby via his official website, or his official Facebook page.
[Photo: Barrett Emke]