Part of a Masterpiece: Big Thief share new single “Paul”

Big Thief’s upcoming record Masterpiece is said to be filled with characters and visceral narratives. Its latest single, “Paul,” seems to confirm such a notion. Adrianne Lenker croons of a man named Paul, but says it’s much more than a love song.

“The future self came and told me the whole story. The ghost of relationship future wrote that song. Looking at heartbreak before it happens, after it happened. It looked like an old film in my head. Some images I included in the song, and others still exist only in my imagination whenever I play it. Snow, a drive-in, soft glowing street lamps, soft lips, wounds, sharing a bottle in a train yard. It’s more of a song about a raging internal battle than it is a love song.”

The NYC band traveled to Lake Champlain last summer to construct their Masterpiece. With nostalgia hinted in every note, Big Thief is set for their first release as a full-blown, four-piece band. The album is out May 27th on Saddle Creek.

Take a listen to “Paul” below, and head to the XPN Concert Calendar for tickets and information on Big Thief’s June 2nd show at World Cafe Live with Nada Surf and and Birds of Youth.