Pat Keen “Morning” (exclusive)

24 Jul 2015 — Johanne Swanson

There’s something boyish yet deeply self-aware about the single and opening track on Pat Keen’s debut album Leaving. Its narrative is one of growing up and giving in to apathy—finding hope and fucking it all away—catching yourself in stubbornness and trying to rise higher—failing. With lyrics like “I took a chance and grew out of my turtle shell/And flew right out of living hell” it's singsongy on a first listen, but it’s the earnestness in Keen’s voice paired with those strange chord progressions that make something sort of affected sincerely affecting. Musicianship is apparent throughout; the track’s closing breakdown hits all those sweet American places. “Morning” is a lullaby for adults, a nursery rhyme on acid.

Leaving is available now on CD from Lungbasket Recordings, cassette from Lake Paradise, and digitally on Keen’s bandcamp. He is playing a release show tonight in his hometown of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and another on Sunday in neighboring Minneapolis, Minnesota.