Right Back to It

Last updated
"Right Back to It"
Single by Waxahatchee featuring MJ Lenderman
from the album Tigers Blood
ReleasedJanuary 9, 2024 (2024-01-09)
Studio Sonic Ranch Recording Studios (Tornillo, Texas) [1]
Genre
Length4:34
Label ANTI-
Songwriter(s) Katie Crutchfield
Producer(s) Brad Cook [5]
Waxahatchee featuring MJ Lenderman singles chronology
"Hurricane"
(2022)		"Right Back to It"
(2024)		"Bored"
(2024)

"Right Back to It" is a song by American indie rock singer-songwriter Waxahatchee. It was released on January 9, 2024, as the lead single from her sixth studio album Tigers Blood . The song features guest vocals from MJ Lenderman.

Contents

Background

"Right Back to It" explores longstanding romance, and the ways it can waver over time but is also strengthened by its deep foundations. It was inspired by a tradition of country duets. [6] Crutchfield explained the song's story in a press release:

I'm really interested in writing love songs that are gritty and unromantic. I wanted to make a song about the ebb and flow of a longtime love story. I thought it might feel untraditional but a little more in alignment with my experience to write about feeling insecure or foiled in some way internally, but always finding your way back to a newness or an intimacy with the same person. [7]

She further posted about the song's genesis on her Substack. [8] She states that she first developed the song's melody while playing piano in 2021, and recorded it as a voice memo. [9] She later completed the song during a fruitful period of writing while on tour in 2022; she specifically finished the song's arrangement before opening for Sheryl Crow and Jason Isbell at Wolf Trap in Virginia. [6] [10] After meeting guitarist MJ Lenderman at SXSW, producer Brad Cook arranged for him to attend the recording sessions for what became Tigers Blood in August 2022. He became a key figure in the song's sound; after hearing his harmonies on a demo of the song, Crutchfield and producer Brad Cook felt it was a turning point in making the previously "indecipherable" [9] album: "[It was the big pivotal moment for me and Brad. We were like, ‘OK, let’s anchor everything around this feeling that we’re all having.'" [11]

Composition

Sonically, Karena Phan of the Associated Press described the song as "the best of both worlds – an Americana song that pushes and pulls between country and indie rock – but settles somewhere in the middle, a reflection of the song's lyrics." [4]

Music video

The song's music video was shot at Caddo Lake in Texas. [2] It depicts Crutchfield and Lenderman singing the song together as they ride in a low boat. [2] Crutchfield developed the video concept, which was an idea she had for over a decade. It was inspired by the video for the Lemonheads' "Mrs. Robinson", where they float across Boston Harbor. Crutchfield had pitched it for previous videos, but her team considered it a "logistical nightmare." [12]

Release and reception

The song debuted at number 39 on Billboard 's Adult Alternative Airplay ranking. [13] It marked Lenderman's chart debut. [14] To promote the song, the duo appeared together on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert . [7]

Anna Gaca of Pitchfork gave it the site's Best New Track designation, calling it "gorgeous"; [15] the website's Andy Cush wrote: "'Right Back to It' feels like a song that will be around a long time, soundtracking first dances at weddings and final drinks at bars where the patrons get a little sentimental with their jukebox money around closing time. It’s an ode to a love that’s both tender and tough, to running wild and then settling back in, to believing that this thing you carry together is powerful enough to get you through the hard times without pretending that the hard times aren’t coming." [11]

Rolling Stone 's Angie Martoccio called it a "damn good Americana burner full of tender twang." [2] Amanda Petrusich from The New Yorker said it was among their favorites of the year and interpreted it as "a song about feeling skittish and flickery in a relationship but trying to hold steady. It’s a gorgeous, complicated tune." [16] Will Hermes from The New York Times considered it a standout single, [17] and the paper's Jon Pareles agreed, ranking it among the best singles of the year. [18]

Year-end lists

PublicationAccoladeRankRef.
Exclaim! 20 Best Songs of 20247 [19]

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

Related Research Articles

<i>The Execution of All Things</i> 2002 studio album by Rilo Kiley

The Execution of All Things is the second studio album released by Los Angeles-based indie pop band Rilo Kiley in 2002. The album was released by Saddle Creek Records in Omaha, Nebraska, and the aforementioned features show the influence of that studio's associated Omaha Sound. It was recorded at Presto! in Lincoln, Nebraska.

<i>Blood Bank</i> (EP) 2009 EP by Bon Iver

Blood Bank is a 2009 EP by Bon Iver. It was released on January 20, 2009, and features four tracks, three of them recorded for the release. The EP is a follow-up to the band's award-winning debut album For Emma, Forever Ago, self-released in 2007 by Bon Iver frontman and founder Justin Vernon, and re-released in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waxahatchee</span> American indie music project

Waxahatchee is an American indie music project, formed in 2010 by American singer-songwriter Kathryn Crutchfield, known professionally as Katie Crutchfield, following the breakup of her previous band P.S. Eliot. The band is named after Waxahatchee Creek, in Alabama, where Crutchfield grew up. Originally an acoustic solo project, her recordings now tend to involve a full backing band. As Waxahatchee, she has released six solo studio albums to date: American Weekend (2012), Cerulean Salt (2013), Ivy Tripp (2015), Out in the Storm (2017), Saint Cloud (2020) and Tigers Blood (2024), which was nominated for the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Americana Album. Away from Waxahatchee, Crutchfield was also a member of alternative country duo Plains alongside Jess Williamson.

<i>Cerulean Salt</i> 2013 studio album by Waxahatchee

Cerulean Salt is the second studio album by American indie musician Waxahatchee, released on March 5, 2013, on Don Giovanni Records. Co-produced by Swearin' members, Kyle Gilbride and Keith Spencer, the album was recorded in primary recording artist Katie Crutchfield's basement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swearin'</span> Philadelphia-based alternative rock band

Swearin' is a Philadelphia-based musical group made up of singer/guitarist Allison Crutchfield, singer/guitarist Kyle Gilbride, bassist Keith Spencer and drummer Jeff Bolt. They released two albums and an EP. The band split in 2015 and Crutchfield embarked on a solo career. In November 2017, Swearin' announced that they had reunited and would go on tour in support of Superchunk in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Morby</span> American musician

Kevin Robert Morby is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. A former member of Woods and The Babies, Morby has released seven solo studio albums: Harlem River (2013), Still Life (2014), Singing Saw (2016), City Music (2017), Oh My God (2019), Sundowner (2020), and This Is a Photograph (2022).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">P.S. Eliot</span> Birmingham, Alabama-based pop punk band

P.S. Eliot was an American pop punk band formed in 2007 in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, by twin sisters Katie and Allison Crutchfield (drums). They released two albums: Introverted Romance in Our Troubled Minds (2009) and Sadie (2011), both on Salinas Records. After the band broke up in 2011, both members pursued their own musical projects: Katie started Waxahatchee and Allison started Swearin'. The band reunited in June 2016 for a tour, which took place the following September.

<i>Ivy Tripp</i> 2015 studio album by Waxahatchee

Ivy Tripp is the third studio album by American indie musician Waxahatchee, released on April 7, 2015, on Merge Records domestically, and Wichita Recordings internationally. Katie Crutchfield produced the album with Kyle Gilbride and Keith Spencer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radiator Hospital</span> American indie rock band

Radiator Hospital is an American indie rock band. Though songwriter Sam Cook-Parrott (vocals/guitar) is from Grand Rapids, Michigan, they are now based in Philadelphia. The rest of the current lineup is Cynthia Schemmer (guitar/vocals), Jon Rybicki (bass), and Jeff Bolt (drums). They have released six albums; two out of print lo-fi cassettes, and four LPs put out by Salinas Records.

<i>Out in the Storm</i> 2017 studio album by Waxahatchee

Out in the Storm is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Waxahatchee, released on July 14, 2017 through Merge. It features her sister Allison Crutchfield on keyboards and percussion, as well as Katie Harkin, Katherine Simonetti, and Ashley Arnwine. Dinosaur Jr./Sonic Youth producer John Agnello recorded the album live. The album was released digitally, on vinyl and compact disc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boygenius</span> American indie rock supergroup

Boygenius is an American indie rock supergroup consisting of American singer-songwriters Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus. They debuted with their self-titled EP in 2018, and then returned after a hiatus with their debut studio album, The Record (2023), which was both a critical and commercial success, winning the members three Grammy Awards and one Brit Award. Labeled an "instant classic" by NME, it topped the charts in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands, and peaked at number four on the U.S. Billboard 200. Their second EP, The Rest, was released on October 13, 2023. The group is currently on hiatus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings</span> 2019 single by Caroline Polachek

"So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings" is a song by American singer Caroline Polachek from her third studio album Pang (2019). The song was released on September 16, 2019 through Perpetual Novice. It has been described as a new wave and indie pop track. While it did not chart at the time of its release, the song became a sleeper hit after it went viral on TikTok in early 2022.

<i>Saint Cloud</i> (album) 2020 studio album by Waxahatchee

Saint Cloud is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Waxahatchee, released on March 27, 2020, by Merge Records. Released at the onset of the global coronavirus pandemic, Saint Cloud received universal acclaim from music critics, who praised its depth and mellow sound. Initially unable to tour behind the album, Waxahatchee embarked on a supporting tour in 2021.

<i>Sundowner</i> (album) 2020 studio album by Kevin Morby

Sundowner is the sixth studio album by American indie rock musician Kevin Morby, released on October 16, 2020, on Dead Oceans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wednesday (American band)</span> American alternative rock band

Wednesday is an American alternative rock band from Asheville, North Carolina, currently signed to Dead Oceans. The band consists of vocalist Karly Hartzman, guitarist MJ Lenderman, lap steel player Xandy Chelmis, drummer Alan Miller and bassist Ethan Baechtold. The band's style has been described as a mixture of shoegaze and country rock, while their lyrical content has been praised for its storytelling about life in the American south.

<i>I Walked with You a Ways</i> 2022 studio album by Plains

I Walked with You a Ways is the first studio album by Plains, a collaborative project between Katie Crutchfield and Jess Williamson. It was released on Anti- Records on October 14, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MJ Lenderman</span> American musician

Mark Jacob Lenderman, also known as Jake Lenderman and MJ Lenderman, is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He has released multiple solo albums and also plays with the alternative rock band Wednesday. He also has played drums for Indigo De Souza. Lenderman's style has been described as alt-country, classic rock, and indie rock music.

<i>Tigers Blood</i> 2024 studio album by Waxahatchee

Tigers Blood is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Waxahatchee. It was released on March 22, 2024, through Anti-. It was preceded by the release of three singles, "Right Back to It", "Bored", and "365". The album received acclaim from critics, and garnered Waxahatchee a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Americana Album, her first nomination at the awards.

<i>Manning Fireworks</i> 2024 studio album by MJ Lenderman

Manning Fireworks is the fourth solo album by American musician MJ Lenderman. The album was released on September 6, 2024, through Anti- and Epitaph Records. Produced by Lenderman and Alex Farrar, the album features contributions from Lenderman's Wednesday bandmates Karly Hartzman, Xandy Chelmis and Ethan Baechtold.

"She's Leaving You" is a song recorded by the American singer-songwriter MJ Lenderman. The song was released on June 24, 2024, through Epitaph Records, as the lead single from his fourth studio album Manning Fireworks. The song is a tragicomic anthem of a lousy middle-aged man exposed in deceit after a bender in Vegas. The song features a rollicking guitar solo and backing vocals from his Wednesday bandmate Karly Hartzman. Lenderman co-produced the song with his partner Alex Farrar, and plays nearly all instruments on the track.

References

  1. ↑ Brown, Eric Renner (March 13, 2024). "Waxahatchee Likens New Album 'Tigers Blood' to 'A Great Slice of Homemade Bread'". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Martoccio, Angie (January 9, 2024). "Waxahatchee Drops Damn Good Duet With MJ Lenderman, Finally Announces New Album". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  3. ↑ Shaw, Matt (January 10, 2024). "Waxahatchee Previews 'Saint Cloud' Follow-up with "Right Back To It," Featuring MJ Lenderman". WJCT Public Media. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Phan, Karena (March 21, 2024). "Music Review: Waxahatchee's alt-country soars, finds joy in simple things on 'Tigers Blood'". AP News. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  5. ↑ Timmons, John (January 10, 2024). "listen hear! Song of the Day: Waxahatchee "Right Back To It" (Feat. MJ Lenderman)". Louisville Public Media. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  6. 1 2 Glasser, Zoe (September 4, 2024). "Indie musician Waxahatchee's songwriting mandate: 'Airtight poetry'". Washington Post. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  7. 1 2 Zemler, Emily (March 27, 2024). "Waxahatchee Taps MJ Lenderman for Vibrant 'Right Back to It' Performance on 'Colbert'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Katie Crutchfield releases her latest record under the moniker Waxahatchee". NPR. March 25, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  9. 1 2 Crutchfield, Katie (January 16, 2024). "you just settle in". Katie Crutchfield’s Substack. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  10. ↑ Rettig, James (January 9, 2024). "Waxahatchee Announces New Album 'Tigers Blood': Hear "Right Back To It"". Stereogum. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  11. 1 2 Andy Cush; Bobby Doherty (March 12, 2024). "How Waxahatchee Made the Album of Her (Second) Life". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  12. ↑ Black, Chris (March 14, 2024). "Waxahatchee on Extracting the Magic Out of the South". GQ. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  13. ↑ Zellner, Xander (January 31, 2024). "10 First-Timers on Billboard's Charts This Week: Richy Mitch and The Coal Miners, MJ Lenderman, Cat Janice & More". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  14. ↑ Brown, Eric Renner (August 30, 2024). "How MJ Lenderman Became Indie-Rock's New It-Kid". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  15. ↑ Gaca, Anna (January 9, 2024). "Waxahatchee: "Right Back to It" [ft. MJ Lenderman]". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  16. ↑ Petrusich, Amanda (August 29, 2024). "MJ Lenderman Keeps It Raw". The New Yorker. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  17. ↑ Hermes, Will (September 2, 2024). "The Timely Dude-ology of MJ Lenderman". The New York Times. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  18. ↑ Pareles, Jon; Zoladz, Lindsay (June 20, 2024). "The 40 Best Songs of 2024 (So Far)". The New York Times. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Exclaim!'s 20 Best Songs of 2024". Exclaim!. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.