14 years after releasing their sole EP, In the Reins, Latin-infused Americana band Calexico is teaming up again with Iron & Wine (aka Sam Beam) again to release their debut full-length Years to Burn. Our Song of the Day is the album’s lead single and gentle strummer, “Father Mountain.” Calexico’s Joey Burns had this to say about the new record:
"This project had to find the right time. We’re all different people than we were in 2004, and music helps to bridge some of the gaps. For all the things going on in our world and in each of our lives, this connection, this friendship, this love that we have—this album is a vehicle for that bond. It’s a chance to see where we’re at, take stock and be there for our friends."
Beam added:
"Life is hard. Awesome. And scary as shit. But it can lift you up if you let it. These are the things Joey and I write about now. And the title can encapsulate a lot of things. Years to Burn could mean you’re cocky, you’ve got it made. Or, our life is ours to burn, to be inspired. Or you’re burned by life, brutalized. It’s an ambiguous title, because life is complicated. Let’s not talk like teenagers about love, desire, pain, ’cause we’re not teenagers. And that’s not a bad thing."
Years to Burn is out June 14 via Sub Pop/City Slang. Last year, Calexico released the full-length The Thread That Keeps Us while Iron & Wine released the Weed Garden EP. Below, watch both Calexico and Iron & Wine’s KEXP in-studio performances from 2018.
