Phosphorescent's "Song for Zula" is an introduction to upcoming album
Muchacho, which
Matthew Houck more or less wrote after he left his Brooklyn home to create in a Mexican beach-side hut.
In an interview with
Spin, Houck relays, "My life, to be honest, sort of fell apart. And in the process of getting it back together, these songs came. I couldn't ignore them."
I can't ignore this track either. A few moments after "Song for Zula" begins, you just know. The wavering strings and shuddering electronics massively build anticipation for every instantly gratifying moment to come.
It's easy to imagine Houck staring out the ocean, singing from a place of quavering acceptance of all that's beautiful and all that's tragic. Yes, this song is that big. It wells up in your eyes, shivers down your spine and demands complete attention.
I have only one qualm. We have to wait until March 19, 2013 for
Muchacho to release via
Dead Oceans, though I have no problem replaying this track over and over.