Bright Eyes Get Existential in Bed on New Song ‘Forced Convalescence’

Bright Eyes have shared another new song, “Forced Convalescence,” from their upcoming new album, which is expected to arrive later this year via Dead Oceans.

The track finds Conor Oberst staring down the past and future from his bed as a simple mix of stomping drums, soft piano and dreamy guitars spirals into a fanciful fever dream alongside Oberst’s existential musings (the track even features the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea on bass). “In the dark, at a distance, I see everything at once,” he sings, a full choir at his back, “Feel the wind through the window and I’m overcome love.”

“Forced Convalescence” follows “Persona Non Grata,” which Bright Eyes released at the end of March and marked their first new music since 2011’s The Peoples’ Key. At the time, the band also announced their new album deal with Dead Oceans, although a title and release date for their upcoming record have yet to be announced.

Bright Eyes were set to complement their new album with a 2020 tour, although those dates remain up in the air due to the coronavirus pandemic. As of now, that run is still scheduled to kick off May 14th in Spokane, Washington.