Chewing shares a vision of his piano-glinting sophomore album ‘Songs For Linnéa’ with two new singles

Chewing, the moniker of Los Angeles musician and visual artist Nik Ewing, has shared the first two singles from his upcoming sophomore album Songs For Linnéa. Arriving on September 13th via his label Chewing Inc. the LP is a collection of tender piano pieces inspired by (and first performed for) his firstborn daughter. An original entitled “Melting Dream” and his Beatles cover “She Loves You” offer a glimpse at the lush intimacy Ewing conjures from his spellbinding minimalism.

Both tracks reveal a new side of Chewing, adding another layer to his versatile solo career. One that departs from the 1970s electronica of his first record Pacific Ocean Blue, or his work as bassist, keyboardist, and vocalist for Local Natives, who also feature on the debut. Stripped of any lyrics or vocals, the pair of singles demonstrate the dually subtle and mesmeric power evoked by the lilting piano melody.

“Melting Dream” unfurls as a cascade of robustly lingering tones, each tumbling over the other at steadily crescendoing speed and force before dissipating and starting the cycle anew. The ring of its incandescent keys radiates with molten warmth and affection.

For his version of “She Loves You,” Chewing draws on his history of producing left-field but uniquely imaginative covers that never disappoint. His unconventional but magical cover of Dennis Wilson‘s Pacific Ocean Blue is proof enough of that talent. Transforming the classic love song into a delicate web of luminous echoes, it becomes a lullaby of melodic gentleness that wordlessly articulates the overflowing oceanic love between a parent and their child.

Each track arrives accompanied by visualizers recorded by Ewing of his young daughter. Overlayed by a gauzy filter and hazily monochromatic, the footage takes on the point of view of a parent watching in awe as their child explores the world around them, imbuing those moments with the same enchanting allure that adorns Chewing’s intricate piano-glinting creations.

“When my first child was born, I played piano for her almost daily. This album is for her, to have a document of the music from the beginning of her life,” Ewing said of the album. “Who knows what music consumption will be like decades from now. Making a physical version of this album is so important, so she can hold and listen to this vinyl in 20 years. I’ve sung this Beatles song for her every night, before she was even born, to help calm her down when she was kicking inside my wife’s belly.”

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Songs For Linnéa releases on September 13th via Chewing Inc.

Words: Steven Ward

Visit Chewing on his website and Instagram to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.

Chewing
Songs For Linnéa
Chewing Inc.
September 13, 2024

01 Dilating Blue
02 Morning After The Greek
03 Melting Dream I
04 Spirit
05 She Loves You
06 First Melody
07 AM
08 Morning Feeding
09 Melting Dream II
10 Variation on Spirit
11 Smile
12 First Shots
13 Sleep