Once again, Vile season is upon us. The laid-back indie rock charmer Kurt Vile is preparing to follow his 2022 major-label debut (watch my moves) with a new LP titled Philadelphia’s Been Good To Me. The project is largely self-produced, with Vile recording the majority of the material at his home in Philadelphia’s Mount Airy neighborhood. Following the release of the lead single “Chance To Bleed,” Vile has returned with another preview of the record.
“Zoom 97” serves as the blissfully chill opening track for the new album. The song finds Vile reflecting on his life and good fortune while driving through his hometown, anchored by the sentiment, “True love is the pure drug for me.” The track features a signature sparkly jangle-groove, with lyrics that playfully acknowledge the music itself, including a moment where Vile sings, “Check out my hands, my chimin’ chords on a Goldtone mandolin guitar,” immediately followed by the sound of those very chords.
This was the first song that came together on this record that we knew was real special, like we knew we were on the right track ya know…
And it’s a 100% Philly born and bred affair.
I could reminisce out loud but for now we takin it inward… “jump in my whip… my engine whines, yeah… zig zag my way… down Lincoln Drive, yeah…”
See yall out there in the world soon enoughs 🙂
Listen to the track below.
Philadelphia’s Been Good To Me is set for release on May 29 via Verve.
