Courtney Barnett returns with a chatty single “Small Talk”

Courtney Barnett | photo by Pooneh Ghana | courtesy of the artist

Courtney Barnett released her latest album Tell Me How You Really Fell just last May, and already she’s back with a new track. “Small Talk” is Barnett’s addition to indie NY label Mom + Pop’s 10th anniversary compilation.

The song is warm with a nuzzling familiarity, the toasty heat of a crowded kitchen, a friend’s arm slung around your shoulders. Barnett captures the strained obligation of small talk at a family gathering, the lengthy gaps of time to fill, the buzz of muddled and meaningless conversation. Recorded live, you can hear Barnett calling out changes and cues. The song putters out with zigzagging guitar punctuated by exclamations of keyboard, and Barnett’s winning laughter.

Barnett plays at The Fillmore on October 23rd with Waxahatchee, you can find tickets + more info at the XPN Concert Calendar. Listen to “Small Talk.”