One of our all-time faves the brilliant Idaho-based songwriter Trevor Powers, known by his moniker Youth Lagoon, has returned with his new single and video, "Lucy Takes a Picture." This soul-stirring track, released via Fat Possum, showcases Powers' unique blend of love, narcotics, and American gothic imagination.
The single captures Powers' lifelong struggle to articulate the profound theme of "salvation hiding in our wounds." The song's rural noir essence blurs the lines between Powers' personal journals and the mythologies of habitual sinners and devout barflies.
Powers Explains:
“Once in a while there’s a song that feels like I’ve been trying to write it my whole life, Lucy is one of those.”
Recorded in Los Angeles with co-producer Rodaidh McDonald (known for his work with Weyes Blood, The xx, Gil Scott-Heron), "Lucy Takes a Picture" is enriched with pizzicato strings, synth pads played through a shoebox tape recorder, and Powers’ evocative vocals. The accompanying video, directed by longtime collaborator Tyler T. Williams, further amplifies the song's apocalyptic and poetic themes.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind the track, Powers shares a poignant moment from February:
“I walked past a bus stop and noticed a small piece of paper tucked into the bars of a metal bench. In shaky handwriting, the note said, ‘This is the tale of my resurrection. I died so I could live again.’ This message, whether from an angel or a junkie, rang the bell of my soul and led me to write ‘Lucy Takes a Picture.’”
In 2023, Powers released the acclaimed Heaven Is a Junkyard. This album marked Youth Lagoon's return after an 8-year hiatus, delving into a neo-western realm with warped Americana, centered around an upright piano and static-coated electronics.
Powers reflects on his journey:
“I killed off Youth Lagoon years ago because I lost who I was. Then life jumped me in an alley and gave me a beating. That suffering changed my frequency. Now my ideas are a river. I can’t keep up.”
When asked about his changed soul, he responds:
“I still have demons. I’m just friends with them now.”
Watch the video for “Lucy Takes a Picture”:
