After success with bands The Gunbunnies, Skeleton Key, and years of working in production for shows like Bob’s Burgers and Inside Amy Schumer, artists like Iggy Pop and They Might Be Giants, NY-via-Little Rock writer and producer Chris Maxwell is finally releasing his own solo album, stripped down and ready to share his own story. Years in the making, Arkansas Summer will be released on March 4, following the premiere of the title track on Paste.

 

Acclaimed writer Jonathan Letham describes the album, “Chris Maxwell musically channels the heart of Americana-pop — Big Star, Freedy Johnston, Wilco and the like — in crafting a song-cycle as personal as home movies with X-rays included. A beautifully poised grown-up album in an age that still coughs one up from time to time."

 

Maxwell returns to his roots, leaving New York City sounds behind and creating something that stays true to the heart. The authenticity and sincerity is clear from the first listen – and Maxwell’s mastery of the instruments make it all seem effortless. The lyrics tell deeper tales than the breezy, sweetly engaging guitar melodies imply. Acoustic gems are woven between baroque pop and even touches of electronica and funk; the seamless transitions elevate the album to a true artistic composition – one that still leaves room for fun.

 

With Arkansas Summer’s ten baroque pop gems, Chris Maxwell picks up a thread that had gotten tangled and almost lost when the Little Rock-based songwriter and ace guitarist left home for New York City in the early ‘90s. This new collection of character studies, confessions, impressionistic portraits, and time travels finds the veteran NYC writer and producer reconnecting with his roots musically and personally, bringing to bear all the production mastery acquired in the intervening years.

 

Arkansas Summer is subtle, brash, dynamic, and sonically adventurous, moving from gritty electro pop to barebones acoustic narratives, Lenonesque piano ballads, and lush roots rockers with expansive musical moves. Maxwell’s fertile imagination, production savvy, and the still-nervy guitar playing are on bold display across Arkansas Summer. But the point here, finally and again, is the songs.

 

TRACKLIST:

1. Strange Shadows
2. Have You Ever Killed Yourself
3. Imaginary Man Intro
4. Imaginary Man
5. Imaginary Man Outro
6. Mess of Things
7. Arkansas Summer Intro
8. Arkansas Summer
9. Arkansas Summer Outro
10. Impossible Knot
11. Devil Song
12. Drunk Barber Shaved the World
13. Things Have Changed For Me
14. Away We Go
15. Last Song