When it was announced that Bright Eyes frontman Conor Oberst was going solo back in April, everyone was left scratching their heads. Wasn’t Bright Eyes already a solo project (save for contributions from the likes of M.Ward and others)? Well, these two new tracks, streaming over at Oberst’s website, only complicate matters.
Both tracks sound like Cassadaga left-overs; “Danny Callahan” splitting the difference between “Four Winds” and “If the Brakeman Turns My Way,” while “Souled Out!!!” with it’s looser feel plays like a “Hot Knives” B-side.

But Oberst isn’t technically alone here though. He’s joined by the tight, roots-rocky, Mystic Valley Band, who lend these tracks a more authentic professional sheen than Cassadaga.

Both tracks are set to appear on Oberst’s self-titled album, due out on August 5th, via Merge.