Conor Oberst released a new song called “Governor’s Ball” and it’s absolutely phenomenal. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but it’s beautiful. It’s really different from his last release, “Hundreds Of Ways”, and shows yet another side of just what this man can do. It feels kind of trippy, distant and very much like something off of “Fevers and Mirrors”.
Halfway through the tune, there’s harmonies and horns, more powerful vocals, and it has a really great big-band feel. I adore the way it grows, and adds more and more elements until it’s not as mellow as it was in the beginning, but it’s so energetic and gives you a pretty good indication of what direction this release is going to go in. I don’t want to say that it sounds happy, but it isn’t your typical woe-is-me Oberst tune. It’s definitely a sign that he’s grown up, and seeing that transition is something that really touches me. However, this doesn’t mean he’s lost his lyrical genius. Talking about a girl’s “klonopin eyes” is most certainly a lyric that only a poetic god could come up with.
I’m really hooked on the last half of this masterpiece. I really figured that “Upside Down Mountain”, his solo album due out May 19th, was really going to be purely solo. This song proved me wrong, and made me really even more excited for the record because whenever he plays with anyone else, it’s always incredible. I swear everything the man touches turns to gold.
If you’re not an Oberst fan because you think he’s a whiny self-righteous pretty boy, this tune will certainly prove that stereotype wrong. Definitely his peppiest song to date, “Governor’s Ball” proves immense versatility and skill.
