Kevin Morby is releasing his fifth solo studio album, a double LP titled Oh My God, on April 26 via Dead Oceans. Following 2017's City Music, the concept record takes on the theme of religion and its prevalence in the life and culture of all people, even non-believers. This is how Morby puts it:
"Religion is around all of us. It’s a universal language and there is profound beauty in it. I’ve found it a useful tool within songwriting, as it’s something everyone can relate to on some level. There are religious themes or imagery in a lot of what I’ve done, so I wanted to get all of that out and speak only that language for a whole record. It’s not a born-again thing; it’s more that ‘oh my god’ is such a profound statement we all use multiple times a day and means so many different things. It’s not about an actual god but a perceived one, and it’s an outsider’s view of the human experience in terms of religion."
Our Song of the Day is the record’s lead single, “No Halo,” a bold rumination on lost youth innocence featuring a jazzy sax line. Oh My God was produced by Sam Cohen, who Morby says helped guide the sound of the album towards “sonic pop-art that only [has] a few colors.” Below, watch the surreal video for the song directed by Chris Good which will be the first in a series of forthcoming videos playing on the same storyline.
Finding good new music can be a full time job, so let KEXP help! In Our Headphones brings you five song recommendations every Monday, straight from KEXP’s DJs and Music Directors. Join hosts Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili on this never-ending journey of music discovery.
Host Emily Fox and KEXP’s editorial team talk with artists about the stories behind their songs and the experiences that inform their work. Through each conversation, we uncover the humanity behind the music, allowing us to hear it in a whole new way.