With “Love Is Gonna Test You,” Jordan Moser isn’t merely stating a universal inevitability. He’s celebrating it.
“Trials and tribulations are part of what give relationships depth,” he pondered from a tour stop in Arkansas. “If you think it’s all roses and kisses, it’s not, but it’s still great. ‘Love Is Gonna Test You’ is about being ready for the ride.”
The single, preceding the Wimberley-based indie folk singer’s third LP – and first for burgeoning imprint Keeled Scales – showcases Moser’s thoughtful lyricism. The first verse evidences his own revelation:
I was a child, didn’t have a clue. I thought that hearts were steady in line like the moon. Love, to me, was a hedonistic pleasure cruise. You should’ve seen my face when I got the news: That love is gonna test you.
The accompanying clip finds the singer/guitarist on his bedroom floor, stretching, contorting, and flowing though improvised dance movements. For the last decade, Moser’s danced professionally for Ballet Austin. He remains with the organization, but has now retired from performance.
“I love dancing, but it wasn’t feeding me completely,” he explains. “When you’re a dancer, you’re someone else’s medium and you kind of do what you’re told. That’s why I love playing music: I can be the master of my own realm.”
Moser’s latest collection, Long Night, arrives July 26 and finds him linking up with longtime friend and creative collaborator Molly Burch, who sings on all eight cuts. Her guitarist and partner Dailey Toliver, also factors heavily on the LP, which came to life mostly live at a studio in Fayetteville, Ark. Pedal steel sage Bob Hoffnar and multi-instrumentalists Jeff Crozier and Dan Duszynski also contributed.
Burch, Toliver, and Hoffnar are slated to join Moser for his album release extravaganza on Tuesday, July 30, at the Cactus Cafe. The “Love Is Gonna Test You” video premieres right here and now:
This article appears in The Drinks Issue (2019).