It has been awhile since I’ve written about talented singer songwriter Paul Duncan. The Texas native that is now based in Brooklyn is preparing to release a new album titled “Above The Trees” and it is nothing short of brilliant. This may not come as a shock to many of you who read ENS or who know that I am also a big fan of Will Oldham and his music. Because “Above The Trees” is the album I wish Oldham would make. Ever since the 1999 gem that is “I See A Darkness” I have hoped Oldham (Bonnie Prince Billy) would return to that sound. Well, it appears that Duncan has done it for him, and even upped the stakes considerably.

This is the third album from Duncan who is still aligned with the good folks at Home-Tapes Records, a personal favorite label of mine. For his first two efforts Paul recorded in a home studio but this one sees him taking his sound to a proper studio in Chicago, Soma EMS. And not only did he enlist the help of a new engineer for the album in Tim Iseler, but also recruited friends new and old to help on the recording. Christopher Bear (Grizzly Bear), Doug McCombs (Tortoise), Nate Lepine (Cursive), and Ken Champion, (who provides the pedal steel that is the heartbeat of these songs), are all among a solid group that lends instrumentation to the record.

The hushed vocals of Duncan once again shine througout the album as well, and I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that this is the most complete effort of his recording career to date. The album is out May 1st from Home-Tapes, but you can preview some songs from it below today.

Paul Duncan – Red Eagle

Paul Duncan – The Lake Part 2

Technorati Tags: Paul Duncan, Home-Tapes Records, Soma EMS