A. Savage, known for his role as co-frontman of Parquet Courts, has announced a new solo album titled "Several Songs About Fire." The artist, originally from Denton, Texas, reflects on the album with an evocative metaphor: “I imagine myself playing these songs in a small club that is slowly burning,” he states. This marks his second solo project following 2017’s "Thawing Dawn."
Savage explains the theme of escape in the album: “Fire is something you have to escape from, and in a way this album is about escaping from something. This album is a burning building, and these songs are things I’d leave behind to save myself.”
The creation process involved collaboration with Jack Cooper in rural England, focusing on simplicity and intimacy. Savage mentions that each song needed to be reducible to just an acoustic guitar: “If you can distill a song into a single instrument, it’s much easier to understand it.”
The recording took place over ten days in Bristol under producer John Parish's guidance. Cate Le Bon was among those who contributed to the project and remarked on its uniqueness compared to band work: “The beautiful friction of shoulder to shoulder was replaced by something else.” Parish described the production process as urgent and intuitive: “No decision was possible to defer.”
Savage's lyrical prowess shines through as he tackles themes of wealth and poverty with what Parish calls “an emotional openness guarded by a laconic wit.” In "David’s Dead," Savage memorializes his late friend David Lester without resorting to somber tones but instead uses lively refrains.
Drawing inspiration from artists like Sybille Baier and Townes Van Zandt, Savage explores varied perspectives throughout the album. He combines secular life with elements of antiquity in tracks such as "Hurtin’ or Healed," where he juxtaposes personal reflection with grand themes.
Savage sees this record as an act against modern life's digital distractions: “Several Songs About Fire stands as an act of nearly libidinal rebellion against a moment when so much of life is the blue light of screens.” The album aims to capture moments where sensory experiences transcend into profound connections.