Covey’s hauntingly bittersweet “Stable Now” is a lilting, somber song of balance, reflection, and acceptance.
Stream: “Stable Now” – Covey
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/589112511?secret_token=s-qghqo” params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=true&visual=true&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]You’re stable now – whatever that means…
Life doesn’t resolve like a novel: Seldom do we encounter true happy endings, where we can close a chapter and neatly wrap up all our loose ends in a tight bow. Life is messy and complicated; reality is unpredictable and often unforgiving. The best we can do is to find our own sense of happiness, satisfaction, and acceptance: To balance the bad with the good, and coexist with the world to the very best of our abilities. Covey’s hauntingly bittersweet “Stable Now” is a lilting, somber song of balance, reflection, and acceptance.
I was 17 when I first
Gave up on myself
Never really cared for much
But I am glad that we talk
And I’m sure there’s nothing wrong
When the sun beats down
like it does out there
And these days are fuckin’ long
getting longer too as the years fly by
Atwood Magazine is proud to be premiering “Stable Now,” the second single off Covey’s forthcoming sophomore album Some Cats Live. Some Cats Die (out May 2019 via AntiFragile Music). The musical project of Brooklyn-based, Britain-born multi-instrumentalist and singer Tom Freeman, Covey first introduced his expressive brand of intimate indie folk with 2014’s debut single “Comes and Goes.” The following years found Covey releasing singles slowly, exploring an array of sounds and musical structures that eventually resolved in 2017’s debut album, Haggarty – a truly brilliant listen for those interested in sonic journeys.
“Stable Now” and March’s lead single “Gecko” mark Covey’s first new music in the year and a half since his debut; together, these songs already indicate the artist’s continued musical growth and unwillingness to resign himself to one color or genre. Whereas “Gecko” built itself up with fierce folk rock enthusiasm and raw, urgent angst, “Stable Now” is a poignant acoustic lullabye. The intimate (and equally raw) track centers around Covey and a lone acoustic guitar, with a second electric guitar and vocal harmonies adding color and nuance. Noticeably stripped-down and bare, “Stable Now” aches with the pain of introspection and growth.
Covey sings with heartfelt meaning and intent in a pained, beautiful chorus:
We’ve been through one hell of a lot
but I still get twisted up inside
Myself whatever that means
And you’ve been through the works and back
Came out pretty well i’d say
You’re stable now
Whatever that means
“Stable Now was one of the last songs I wrote for the record,” Covey tells Atwood Magazine. “As the majority of the record was written whilst going through a tough time and uprooting my life, this song was written once things had settled, so it embodies more of an acceptance to what has happened and a reflection on it all as a whole. Leaving my life behind, leaving my ex-partner (Jupi) behind, and starting again somewhere completely foreign. Feeling “Stable” isn’t something I’m particularly familiar with, but after everything that happened, this was the closest I came to coming to terms with everything that had happened in the past year.”
This was the closest I came to coming to terms with everything that had happened in the past year.
And I can’t set foot in Boston
No the streets are way too clean
There’s a lack of cracked up pavement
For me to fall and break my knees
Well i’m sure there’s nothing wrong
When the sun beats down
like it does out there
And these days are fuckin’ long
Getting longer too as the years fly by
Like the transient, ghostly rainbows one might see after a torrential downpour, “Stable Now” resonates with fragility and heavy, cautious relief. Covey’s voice trembles at times as he sings the second verse, his head full of uncertainty, doubt, and just a glimmer – nothing more – of hope: Hope that, after all that’s happen, this too has passed. As he picks up the pieces, they will undoubtedly fall again (they always do)… but next time, it will be for different reasons. The past is behind him, and the future lies ahead. “Stable Now” crosses the gateway between two chapters not with a happy ending, but with the resolve of a weathered soul ready for a fresh start. This is the “new normal,” and it’s okay.
Stream “Stable Now” exclusively on Atwood Magazine, and stay tuned for more from Covey in the months to come: His sophomore album Some Cats Live. Some Cats Die is out this May!
We’ve been through one hell of a lot
but I still get twisted up inside
Myself whatever that means
And you’ve been through the works and back
Came out pretty well i’d say
You’re stable now
Whatever that means
Stream: “Stable Now” – Covey
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/589112511?secret_token=s-qghqo” params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&visual=true&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]— —
:: stream/purchase “Stable” here ::
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? © Matt Marino
