Kevin Morby is back with his eighth studio album, Little Wide Open, coming out May 15 on Dead Oceans. Along with the announcement, he shared the first single and video, “Javelin,” a song that mixes longing, travel and love into a quiet but powerful story. Morby calls this his most personal album yet, and it reflects his experiences moving through middle America while chasing the unpredictable rhythm of life on the road and at home.
“Javelin” is about being in love with someone you keep circling around, always traveling yet always returning home alone. Amelia Meath from Sylvan Esso joins on the track, creating backing vocals that feel alive and central, giving the song a warm and intimate glow. Her voice blends with Morby’s in way that makes the listener feel the song’s distance and closeness at the same time. The video shows Morby and his friend Caleb Hearon riding an ATV through Missouri backroads and fields, with playful cameos from Katie Crutchfield and Tara Raghuveer. The visuals feel open and light, matching the freedom and fun Morby describes from the recording process.
Produced by Aaron Dessner at Long Pond Studio in New York, Little Wide Open features a wide range of collaborators including Justin Vernon, Lucinda Williams, Meg Duffy and others. Dessner’s production lets Morby’s stories breathe, keeping them raw and clear while adding depth to the arrangements. With “Javelin” leading the way, the album seems to be a mix of reflection, motion, and quiet beauty.
Tracklist
01 Badlands
02 Die Young
03 Javelin
04 All Sinners
05 Natural Disaster
06 100,000
07 Little Wide Open
08 Cowtown
09 Bible Belt
10 I Ride Passenger
11 Junebug
12 Dandelion
13 Field Guide for the Butterflies
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