Beards of Neon

Earlier this week, Iron and Wine revealed the cover art to "Kiss Each Other Clean", their new album currently scheduled for release on Jan 25th of next year.  Read more about the album, including the tracklisting over on Pitchfork.

So what can we expect musically from this album based on the art?  

The first thing that jumps out to me about this cover is the range of color contrasted against the black background.  Could be suggestive of dark undertones over laid with a range of brighter harmonies.  Sam Beam looks like he's knee deep in a river of neon tubes, yet he's dressed in a suit jacket and pants.  Maybe this has some lyrical reference on the new album, like a flood, where a subject finds themselves in an unexpected situation.  His eyes are illuminated like flashlights, the brightest focal point in the picture, possibly to imply a vision into or beyond what is normally seen.  The barn behind him looks to be on fire, streaming hair-like strands of wavy smoke while peacocks (I think?) peacefully graze along the river bank. Fire has lots of connotations that could connect to themes Iron and Wine reference, such as the devil, sin, or hell.  The blasé attitude of a bird which represents beauty might be a metaphorical clue to a deeper critique.  

Overall, to me, the fluidity of the lines and vibrant palette suggests a linear connection between the songs and a continued progression towards the expansive sounds and enhanced production of 2007's "The Shepard's Dog".  That cover, which featured a wild-eyed dog and stark hues of gold, pink and black signaled a shift away from the the lo-fi acoustic sound and bedroom production and was decidedly more bold than the serene "These Endless Numbered Days" cover and the muted "The Creek Drank the Cradle".  

Luckily, we don't have to judge an album by its cover alone.  Check out the promo clip featuring about thirty seconds from the new album, and see if you think "Kiss Each Other Clean" sounds anything like its looks.