Styrofoam Winos Release New Single “Next Thing”: Listen
The Nashville-based country-rock band Styrofoam Winos has garnered the admiration of music figures such as MJ Lenderman, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, and myself. With the recent announcement of their upcoming album, Any River, last month, the band released a lively and engaging track titled “Pearls,” featuring the vocals of Lou Turner. Their latest offering from the album, “Next Thing,” showcases the talents of band member Joe Kenkel, evoking a sound that resonates with the introspective style of a rootsy indie singer-songwriter, akin to Tom Petty.
Kenkel shared his thoughts on the creation of “Next Thing,” recalling a moment a couple of summers back when he was experimenting with bluegrass influences and intricate guitar melodies over simplistic chord progressions. The catchy chorus guitar riff became the foundation of the song, and when the band rehearsed it together for the first time, the track came to life with an infectious uptempo rhythm and an appealing sense of playfulness. The lyrics were crafted later on, drawing inspiration from the song’s structure and dynamics. The abrupt transition between the verse and chorus sections felt like a moment of encouragement, urging the listener to move forward to the “next thing.”
During the recording process, the band made some exciting discoveries. Initially planning to lead the track with an electric guitar, they found that pairing it with finger-picked acoustic guitar added an unexpected richness to the sound. Additionally, the decision to introduce the repetitive phrase “the really really really real world” in the bridge was a spontaneous choice that ultimately enhanced the song’s overall impact, especially when sung in harmonious three-part vocals.
“Next Thing” is just a glimpse of what listeners can expect from Styrofoam Winos’ forthcoming album, Any River, set to be released on June 19th via Dear Life. The band’s ability to blend elements of country, rock, and indie influences with insightful lyricism and captivating melodies continues to captivate audiences and establish their place in the music scene.