Courtney Barnett recently appeared on the SiriusXMU Sessions on SiriusXM for a one-song performance of “Rae Street“. The singer-songwriter/guitarist initially dropped the track as the lead single to her latest album, Things Take Time, Take Time, which saw a release on November 12th via Mom+Pop Music/Marathon Artists.
Recorded in late 2020 and early 2021 with producer/drummer Stella Mozgawa (Warpaint, Cate le Bon, Kurt Vile), Things Take Time, Take Time highlighted Barnett’s growth as an artist as she approached the album with a new stylistic outlook. The lead single and first track, “Rae Street”, signaled a fresh, more mellifluous sound, absent the angst and pandemonium that characterized her previous releases.
Related: Courtney Barnett Is As Open As Ever In ‘Anonymous Club’ Doc Trailer [Video]
This performance on the SiriusXMU sessions stripped back even more layers, as Barnett appeared alone with an acoustic guitar and without the backing of drums and bass heard on the album. The bare-bones nature of this acoustic “Rae Street” focused more heavily on her lyrical dynamism and percussive strumming as opposed to the rollicking instrumentation heard on Things Take Time, Take Time. Throughout the 4:10 runtime, she delivered cerebral and poetic vocals about making small changes to improve one’s life, all while sitting atop a stool in the brightly lit studio.
Watch Courtney Barnett perform “Rae Street” for the SiriusXMU sessions via the player below.
Barnett will return to the road in early 2022 for the second leg of her North American tour. Starting at The Pabst Theatre in Milwaukee, WI (1/20), Barnett will circle the Midwest before heading east and creeping up the coast into Canada. Head to her website for tickets and additional tour information.
Courtney Barnett – “Rae Street” – SiriusXMU Sessions