Nashville-based singer/songwriter Lillie Mae returns with a reflective new cut from her third studio album, Festival Eyes, due September 8. Released on Friday (July 28), the sparkling story song “Cold June” spotlights the multi-instrumentalist’s crisp vocals and imaginative lyricism.
“My sis gave me a pair of shoes with velvet and sparkly jewels on them,” Mae explains in a statement. “The idea of the song stemmed from their beauty as I first thought up melodies and lyrics on the front step of a former house. The weather was unseasonably COLD for that time of year, and so seemed my life. I had gotten the opportunity to write together with Anderson East shortly after that night, and he helped take the idea further, and it morphed into ‘Cold June.”
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“Cold June” is the second pre-release single off Festival Eyes, which marks Mae’s first full-length release in four years. Before establishing her own solo career, the 32-year-old multi-instrumentalist spent most of her youth performing at honky-tonks and venues across Nashville and the U.S. alongside her siblings.
She became one of the city’s most sought-after session players and forged a creative partnership with Jack White, performing on all of his solo records to date. White even produced and appeared on Mae’s second album, Forever and Then Some, which was released on his Third Man Records label in 2017.
Produced by the Texas Gentleman’s Beau Bedford, Festival Eyes finds Mae building off the innovative sonic blend of bluegrass, folk, pop, and beyond that has captivated audiences since her 2015 debut album, Rain on the Piano.
“‘Cold June’ shows off Lillie’s true artistic sensibilities thru and thru,” Bedford adds. “From the originality of the songwriting to the perfect touch she exhibits on vocals, the song is completely her own. Sumptuous, eloquent, and unique unto itself, it’s a celebration of songcraft. ‘Cold June’ pushes us to the beautiful frontiers of Americana music.”
Watch the official music video for “Cold June,” directed by Jace Kartye, below.
Festival Eyes Track List:
1. “Cold June”
2. “Razor Love”
3. “Cherry Pie”
4. “Safe Place”
5. “Please Be With Me”
6. “Festival Eyes”
7. “Wild and Free”
8. “Love Is”
Photo Credit: Misa Arriaga
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