If You Change

Widowspeak has a new record coming this June and produced a video for the lead single, “If You Change.” I first heard the band when they covered Dire Straits’ “Romeo and Juliet,” a song that never landed with me previously. Widowspeak won me over with the wistful tenderness they gave their treatment of the track.

“If You Change” is also sweet and tender with a chorus that implores, “if you change, don’t change too much.” About halfway through the song, a guitar solo shreds the proceedings like J. Mascis jumped into the recording booth to blister his fingers on a lead from his jazzmaster.

The video has a corresponingly sentimental feel. When a child’s plush dog flies out of the car window, it finds itself having to navigate the world alone.

Widowspeak - If You Change (YouTube)

Roses will be released June 5 on Captured Tracks. The band will be touring for the album, so look for dates near you.