For six intriguing albums, storied Americana artist Dave Murphy has painted his life through vivid imagery and a twangy prowess. After spending years touring the U.S. and poetically detailing his life, Murphy sets his sights on the future with his seventh studio album, A Heart So Rare. Set to be released on January 31, Murphy’s latest outing promises to find the artist at his most vulnerable as he explores the delicate balance of moving on while still processing life-altering moments. On the album’s new single, “After the Hurricane,” which Glide is proudly premiering below, Murphy digs through the remnants of a failed love to make sense of a heartbreaking outcome.
“‘After the Hurricane’ is a song about acknowledging and coming to grips with the devastation of a failed marriage despite my best efforts,” explains Murphy when asked about the new single. “The song title is a metaphor for the emotional wreckage that remained. One of the mysterious and beautiful things about a song is, over time and with changing circumstances a song will often be viewed from a different perspective both by the songwriter and the audience.”
Murphy puts on a stunning performance that carefully examines heavy human emotions without putting the entire weight on the listener. The blunt poetry of the songwriting is descriptive in its pain, while Murphy’s vocals come off a bit breezy and lighthearted, creating an enticing sonic conflict at the core of “After the Hurricane.” An arrangement brimming with infectious twang acts as a canvas for Murphy’s emotions, giving the single an unforgettable swing that only elevates the sentimental message behind it all.
“‘After the Hurricane’ was written relatively recently, but since November 5 (election day) or the day after the results were in, the song took on a different meaning for me when I played it,” continues Murphy. “Yet the core theme of damage done and a sense of resignation remains.” Murphy’s sentiments are clear and palpable in his new single.
