Ever since the lonesome-cowboy-in-Brooklyn sound of his 2005 Bright Eyes' release, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning , Conor Oberst has moved away from his early, gloomy bedroom folk towards something closer to country, and certainly warmer and more inviting. And now, backed by the Mystic Valley Band on his second solo record for Merge, he's loosening up a bit, giving his songs a new, wide-open feel. "Slowly (Oh So Slowly)" is not, as its title implies, his warbling, cracked brand of hushed folk. It is all rollicking country-rock, big with twanging guitar leads and busting with organ rundowns. Oberst's singing is clear and lively here. He raises his voice to a contained shout once or twice, but never breaks the melody in favor of histrionics. And he smartly continues to push the more winking side of his dark themes. You can picture him half-grinning as he belts out the line, "Dementia, you better treat me good."

 

This first taste from Outer South definitely sounds like Oberst has fully pulled free from his Bright Eyes days, when the unfair "modern-day Dylan" comparisons may have been what bogged-down the underachieving Cassadaga album. Last year's great solo debut sounded like the songwriter was taking a breath, letting the dust settle. And now that it has, he's invited a big ol' band along to kick it up again on "Slowly (Oh So Slowly)."

 

Outer South is out on May 4 in the UK via Wichita , and May 5 in the US on Merge .

 

Stream "Slowly (Oh So Slowly)" here.