High Water serves as the nom de plume of multi-instrumentalist Will Epstein, who garnered much praise on his The Beautiful Moon 12’ and his stunning solo performances on several tours with his longtime friends Nicolas Jaar and Dave Harrington as Darkside.
Now with his forthcoming record Crush, and its lead single shared yesterday Changed the Locks, we see a bold talent who deftly amalgamates a wide array of genres into something otherworldly and truly his own.
Changed The Locks, originally a phenomenal Americana burner from Lucinda Williams’ late 80s self-titled release about moving on from an erstwhile lover, is transmuted here by Epstein into a smoldering dub tune imbued with some serious psychedelia.
Opening with a blaring horn and Epstein’s subdued vocals, the track leads into a smooth, unwavering beat topped with Epstein’s passionate voice singing with an emphasis on the gravity of the each word.
Each indelible cadence he hits here resonates profoundly with any desire in moving on from a lover or tumultuous chapter in life.
Folksy with a touch of eclecticism, and with some serious heart and painstakingly-honed skill poured into every bar, Epstein shines on this evocative cover by making it his own.
If this track showcases the kind of brilliant fusion and execution he employs in his music, then Crush is not worth missing out on.
The album will be released on June 24 on Other People and can be pre-ordered on iTunes.
Listen to Changed The Locks below.