Former Foxing frontman Conor Murphy revealed in June that a fresh Smidley album is on its way. Thus far the public has heard “Capstone” featuring Lucy Dacus and “Love In Every Direction” from Murphy Horse, and now he is unveiling the album’s eponymous track.
“‘Murphy Horse’ became the album title when I realized this song summed up the themes I was exploring most concisely,” Murphy explains. “I felt unsettled, drained and directionless when thinking about what lies ahead. The reincarnation motif (even if it’s a tenuous and shallow one) was really born out of hopelessness. In this life, I miss the chance to create the art I want to make. In the next life, perhaps I won’t even know what art or music means. To me, there’s something strangely soothing in that.”
Despite that somewhat bleak explanation, none of Foxing’s emo energy shows up in “Murphy Horse”; the track is bright and vivid, leaning into catchy hooks and good vibes above all else. Watch the video, animated by Murphy and Steven Pitingolo, below.
Murphy Horse is out 9/25 on Royal Mountain.
