Artist to Watch: Max Helgemo’s Dazzling “Uncovered” Is an Indie Folk Daydream

A beautiful, glistening indie folk indulgence, Max Helgemo’s new song “Uncovered” aches with radiant harmonies and vivid imagery.

for fans of Corey Kilgannon, Father John Misty, Wilco, Gregory Alan Isakov

Stream: “Uncovered” – Max Helgemo

New homes and neighborhoods always take some getting used to – the adjustment period can be long and unwieldy, stressful and frustrating. Thankfully, Max Helgemo has just provided all of us with an empowering, dreamy soundtrack to finding comfort and making new spaces our own. A beautiful, glistening indie folk indulgence, “Uncovered” aches with radiant harmonies and vivid imagery. It’s a summery kiss of warmth, light, passion, and love – and a great accompaniment to your next fresh start.

Didn’t have a choice
Found another lover
Caught another sunburst in my eye
when she comes around

Doesn’t have a shirt
Wears a pillow cover
She didn’t wanna stress
oh it was dark and she let herself out

Atwood Magazine is proud to be premiering “Uncovered,” Max Helgemo’s fifth song released since formally introducing himself in January 2019 with the wondrous debut single, “New License.” A Nashville-based independent artist whose work falls somewhere within the blurred lines of “indie folk” and “folk pop,” Helgemo takes pride in his art’s intimacy and nuance. He began his career as a musician in residence for hospitals, playing songs for patients, and the vulnerable character of that work bleeds into ever niche of his recorded performance. Listening to songs like “New License,” “Slide Away,” and “My Love,” one feels like they’re alone in a room with Helgemo – experiencing a unique and singular special moment with an artist that is so near, yet so far, far away.

Following on from June’s sweet and tender song release “Sidelines,” “Uncovered” arrives with refreshing energy and clarity. More built up than much of Helgemo’s past work, the track is a colorburst of passion intended to wow the ears and stir the rest of our senses. An unassuming intimate love song quickly spills into a full band affair examining one’s place in their own world, yet Helgemo maintains the lover notion throughout his story. His feelings come tumbling out in the sweeping chorus, his vocals soaring as he sings:

And when she comes around, I love her
Uncovered, my lover on display
When she comes around, I love her
Uncovered, my lover rides away

“I had just moved and was adjusting to a new place…” Helgemo recalls, speaking of his new song. “Trying to make it feel like home in my head before I started getting busier–I needed to feel empowered to do what I want and to have no fear of change. “Uncovered” is a bit of a daydream I’d say, about streaking through the streets, announcing your arrival in a new town. The reality was that I was usually fully physically covered wearing sweatpants every day trying to get my shit together.”

“Uncovered” is a bit of a daydream I’d say, about streaking through the streets, announcing your arrival in a new town.

Body is a gift
Oh I oughta know it
But ever since I moved away
I’ve been runnin’ it down

Got a lotta skin
Oh I oughta show em’
I’ll take the streak into the heart
of the revelrous town

If any one song were to signal Helgemo as an undeniable artist to watch, it is this one. “Uncovered” is an immersive delight to the senses, its soundscape a textured experience of ambience and soothing bright acoustics. His singing is seductive, his lyrics achingly distinctive; simply put, we cannot wait to hear what he comes out with next.

For now, “Uncovered” is a sterling new addition to Max Helgemo’s budding catalog.

And when I come around, they’ll love it
Uncovered, my lover on display
When I come around, they’ll love it
Uncovered, my lover rides away

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Stream: “Uncovered” – Max Helgemo

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