Award-winning Canadian duo Whitehorse—Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet—were originally planning on recording an EP of 70s country songs instead of what became their upcoming album I’m Not Crying You’re Crying—out on January 13th via Six Shooter Records. But when the lockdown hit, the pair began churning out new original songs. “Luke was like staying up late every night and writing all the songs about lockdown,” remembers McClelland. “And then he all of a sudden had like this collection of songs about lockdown that was stunning, and so I was like, oh, okay, I'm going to shift my thinking and start writing thematically.” The first song McClelland penned during these sessions was “If The Loneliness Don’t Kill Me,” a Telecaster and pedal steel-driven two-step embodying McClelland’s original idea for the song’s refrain: “If the loneliness don’t kill me, then the good times surely will.”
Yesterday, Holler. premiered “If The Loneliness Don’t Kill Me,” writing, “On their new record, Whitehorse don’t just dip their toes into 70s-inspired classic country music, they jump in and splash about and luxuriate in its depths and currents. The simplicity and timelessness of the songs belies a musical playfulness and uniquely modern wit as they reimagine the country duet for a new generation.” Fans can stream or purchase “If The Loneliness Don’t Kill Me” today at this link and pre-order or pre-save I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying ahead of its January 13th release right here.
The accompanying music video, filmed in LA and directed, produced, and edited by Lyle Bell and Caitlin Veitch, combines a cool, contemporary look with the duo’s retro 70s country inspiration. View it now at this link, and don’t forget to check out Whitehorse’s previously-released singles “Division 5” and “Leave Me As You Found Me” right here.
More about I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying: Whitehorse’s upcoming LP, I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying, sees the duo lean further into classic country tones which is both a nod to their influences and an evolution of their sound. Whitehorse have received five consecutive JUNO Award nominations in three different genre categories, attesting to their brilliance at crossing genres from psychedelic Americana and pop-noir to squalling blues rock and celestial folk.
A twist on the ever-present “pandemic album,” Whitehorse distilled and transcended the gloom and uncertainty of the time with a collection about heartbreak and loyalty; getting by and going crazy; and shaking things up and hunkering down. The resulting twelve-song collection is playful yet profound; masterfully simple and timeless. I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying is an immaculate collection of 70s country-inspired songs that showcase Whitehorse at their absolute best.
I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying Tracklist:
If The Loneliness Don’t Kill Me
I Might Get Over This (But I Won’t Stop Loving You)
The Road
Division 5
Manitoba Bound
Bet The Farm
Leave Me As You Found Me
6 Feet Away
I Miss The City
Sanity, TN
Lock It Down
Scared of Each Other
