Sam Owens a.k.a. Sam Evian released his latest album “You, Forever” on Saddle Creek Records over the summer. In 2017, The NYC-based producer and songwriter also co-produced the solo album for Kazu Makino (of Blonde Redhead). Now, the two have joined forces in a re-imagined track entitled “Next To You.” This version is just as billowy and mellow as you might expect coming from the minds of these two musicians. But with help from Kazu’s haunting vocals and a sweeping instrumental section (metronome, violin, and bass), “Next To You” blooms into something more celestial and otherworldly. The song’s central message is short and sweet but tinted with a dreary cynicism about how the world sucks right now. Makino murmurs, “I can’t fight the world’s battles/I just wanna be next to you.” It’s a truly gorgeous track, and you can listen below. – Sara Nuta
