Before today, Sara Houser never put out a track devoid of guitar. In fact, the singer/multi-instrumentalist sat on her latest batch of recordings because she didn’t know if they were stylistically suited to be songs for Löwin.
To paraphrase the track’s title, she’d be a “Fool for Thinking” that. The song is one the most heavenly vocal performance she’s turned in, regardless of which project it gets filed under.
The three-minute song represents a stark directional shift for her longstanding quartet, whose evolution from the hard rock of 2015’s Royal Jelly EP to the enchanting indie pop of last year’s Heavy as the Sun knows no boundaries. The new tune samples drums and features prominent synth work, layered backup vocals, and an overall spaciousness that allows the melodies to jump out.
Houser reports that she’s prepped six Löwin singles. They were tracked with Slomo Drags bassist Adam Mason and will be parceled out on streaming services throughout the year via Spaceflight Records. The synth-pop nature of “Fool for Thinking” runs throughout the material.
In addition to her work with Löwin, Houser’s become an in-demand vocalist and pianist for acts including Golden Dawn Arkestra, Sabrina Ellis & the Velvet Nudes, and the Reputations. Lyrically, “Fool For Thinking” serves as an affirmation after questioning the efficacy of one’s own art:
Passing ships in the night,
One my dreams, one my pride.
Can’t seem to get them on the same side.
I’m a fool for thinking
Anyone else could do it.
I’m a fool for waiting,
Waiting on a hand-me-down.
Check out Löwin’s metamorphosis here before it hits streaming services Friday.
This article appears in January 24 • 2020.