Photo by Joey Wasilewski
Today Kelcey Ayer released “Don’t Look Down”, his first solo single since leaving Local Natives last year. He previously released material outside the band before under the moniker Jaws of Love., and his solo work marks a sonic shift for Ayer from his work in either projects.
The track features a vibrant blend of electronic synths, lively drums, and Ayer’s trademark vocals. There are traces of his work with both projects here, but delivered with a new lease of life that are ever so fitting, since the song is inspired by the birth of his son Oskar and the first few weeks with him.
As he details bleow:
“When my son Oskar was born in early 2023, it rocked me to my very core. I spent the first night in the hospital staring at him in his little clear-plastic bassinet while a slow-churning panic attack kept me up all night. I had no idea what it would feel like to see this tiny being and feel the weight of my responsibility to keep it safe. The first few weeks of no sleep and constantly watching over him were equal parts exhausting and rewarding. I’d be frustrated but then see his little green eyes look into mine and I’d be flooded with love and affection. I wrote Don’t Look Down about that time, wrestling with how many emotions that came into full-view seemingly out of nowhere. Production-wise this was somewhat of a breakthrough, with the drums being the first I was able to record myself in my home studio and gave me the confidence to record everything else there. I’m so excited for you to hear this and there’s a lot more music coming soon. Go Dads!
He has shared a self-directed lyric video for the single, and the song is available to buy at Bandcamp, with proceeds being donated to the Pasadena Community Foundation’s Eat Fire Relief & Recovery Fund
Join the conversation