Photo by Eleanor Petry

Kurt Vile hopped over from indie stalwart Matador Records to the major leagues of Verve with his last studio effort in 2022’s (watch my moves), but that didn’t really change much about the dude does his rock ‘n roll business. That doesn’t stop on “Chance to Bleed”. In fact, it only seems to have found an inescapable groove to leave stuck in your ears, as listening to the lead single from the former childish prodigy’s 9th proper solo album, Philadelphia’s been good to me, captures the essence of the songwriter’s hometown magic at its most cool and casual. Gang choruses, neon flairs, and Vile’s subliminal hip-hop influences set the mood right for a classic kind of lo-fi DIY night. He’s dubbed it “hillbilly techno.” It feels more like walking straight through the doors of Vile’s favorite hometown drinking establishment where he’s on a first name basis with everyone, and there’s always a spot on stage to lay down some licks if he wants it. You apparently can’t dim his fanboy spirit for the Philly underground no matter how high life takes him.

Kurt Vile’s Philadelphia’s been good to me will be released May 29th on Verve Records.