Mikal Cronin Shares First Song in Four Years, "Undertow"

Mikal Cronin has returned with his first new solo song in four years. “Undertow” was recorded at Palmetto Studio in Los Angeles and features William Tyler (Lambchop, Silver Jews) on guitar and Shannon Lay on backing vocals. On Bandcamp, Cronin explains the song like this:

It’s easy to get caught up in an undertow, pulled down into the water, weightless and directionless. The current stirs and you lose your way. But eventually, if you’re lucky and patient, you can float back up to the surface and take a breath. This is my first new music in a while—my gulp of air. Many talented friends joined me, the basic tracks were recorded live together for the first time in my recording career. This felt good.

Cronin’s last solo album was 2015’s MCIII. Since then, he’s focused his energies on contributing to Ty Segall’s last three records, 2016’s Emotional Mugger, 2017’s Ty Segall, and 2018’s Freedom’s Goblin. “Undertow” is one half of a forthcoming 7” alongside a song called “Breathe,” due for release on May 10 via Famous Class.

Listen to “Undertow” and watch Mikal Cronin’s 2015 KEXP in-studio performance below.