The debut album from Christian Lee Hutson, 2020’s Beginners, was quietly one of the greatest albums of that weird pandemic year. It served as an incredible introduction to the Phoebe Bridgers collaborator for those who were unfamiliar, showing off a kind of poise and sharp songwriting ability that should elevate the album into cult-classic territory down the line. Today, Hutson has announced the release of his new album Quitters — like Beginners, it was produced by Bridgers but also brings Bright Eyes mastermind Conor Oberst into the fold as a producer. It’s out 4/1 via ANTI-, and Hutson shared the following about the album:
“When we made Beginners the aim was to make simple digital recordings of how I would play the songs in the room. With this record, Phoebe and Conor had an idea that it would be fun to make it to tape. Phoebe is my best friend and making Beginners with her was so comfortable and easy. So I wanted to work with her again.” “I took a long time with Beginners,” Hutson added. “I had those songs for 10 years, but these songs came out a lot faster.” Because the songs from Quitters were written in a shorter time, “there was a little bit of insecurity with the lyrics. Having Conor there served the purpose of someone who I really respect as a lyricist and could soothe my anxiety.”
The album is preceded by “Rubberneckers“, which expands Hutson’s style of hushed, poetic folk into something bigger and brighter. Beginning with an electronic drum pattern and soft finger-picked guitar, the song eventually amplifies into the most straightforward indie-rock song that we’ve ever heard from Hutson. It’s a tantalizing preview of what’s to come from the talented songwriter, and you can watch the entertaining music video directed by Zoe Donahoe & Adam Sputh below:
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