Rooted in self-discovery and curiosity about life’s offerings, Iron & Wine’s “You Never Know” is a hauntingly hopeful little tune and the first glimpse off the folk singer/songwriter’s upcoming seventh studio album, ‘Light Verse.’
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Stream: “You Never Know” – Iron & Wine
It takes a special talent to be able to craft a song that beautifully captures and highlights the simplicities of musicality.
And while Iron & Wine’s “You Never Know” is void of any major progression changes and doesn’t feature insane vocals, in just under five minutes, folk singer/songwriter Sam Beam creates a contradictory tension-filled serenity that is wholly entrancing and grounding.
You could make gray, call it gold
Let it fool your eyes
You could make rain
and let it have your life
Being green grass, any little wind
Begs you for a dance
You could say love ’til it lasts
Above all else, this song dissects the concept of possibility and how in life we are presented with an array of paths to wander down. What Beam does so expertly in the construction of his verses is he spotlights the variety that lies in possibility and presents this idea of finding balance and comfort in the uncertainty.
You could make good, there’s a lot of ways
With nowhere left to go
Let it be the song on your little radio
You could make light, be the silly word
Sitting on a tongue
You could make nice or beat a drum
With an array of strings to support his lyrics, “You Never Know” (released February 7 via Sub Pop Records) shows off all the best parts of Iron & Wine and sets the stage for a beautiful introduction to what will be Light Verse, his seventh studio album. The track showcases Sam Beam’s keen understanding of how to craft an immersive musical landscape. Each little pluck and swell is meticulously placed in a way that draws the listener in and gives them a feeling of anticipatory comfort.
Don’t you wanna know
how far you’re gonna go
Fickle as tomorrow talking to a wind chime
Folding your hands, empty as glass
Waiting to break
Don’t you wanna know
how close you’re gonna get
Kissing like people stepping on flowers
Wishing on the stars empty as glass
Waiting to break
There is an ominous, haunting feeling that comes through in the slow introduction of the song and the gradual building of push-and-pull as the track creeps towards its eventual fading release, which lingers in the wake of wondering what’s next: “You could be wrong, don’t you wanna know?“
You could make gray, call it gold
Let it fool your eyes
Follow any wave crashing down to size
You could be wrong, don’t you wanna know
Deep into the night
Like a little stone thrown across ice
Out April 26th via Sub Pop, Light Verse is Iron & Wine’s first studio album since 2017’s Grammy Award-nominated Beast Epic (he also release the album Years to Burn with Calexico in 2019, and three additional solo records – 2019’s Live at Third Man Records, 2021’s Archive Series Volume No. 5, and 2023’s Who Can See Forever Soundtrack). The first teaser off the new record, “You Never Know” is a hauntingly hopeful little tune that once again showcases Sam Beam’s superior lyrical talents alongside a wondrous instrumental blend and a message of what is ultimately patience in the storm of uncertainty.
Following the unveiling of “You Never Know” in February, Iron & Wine has since released the songs “All in Good Time” (featuring Fiona Apple) and “Anyone’s Game,” both of which serve to expand the Light Verse world – capturing the breadth and depth of Beam’s singular artistry.
Iron & Wine’s North American headlining tour supporting Light Verse begins on June 14 in Milwaukee and is currently set to run through August 24 in Nashville, Tennessee at the iconic Ryman Auditorium. Find tickets and more information at ironandwine.com!
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Stream: “You Never Know” – Iron & Wine
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© Kim Black
© Kim Black
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