Cal in Red has released their new single, “Kitchen Ft. James Mercer,” a softly shimmering track from their upcoming debut album, ‘Low Low,’ which will be available on August 30th via B3SCI Records. Premiering on Brooklyn Vegan, this song marks a significant moment for brothers Connor and Kendall Wright. James Mercer, who originally discovered the duo from Grand Rapids, MI, when they were in their previous band Mertle, helped them win The Shins’ 2017 Van Contest with their cover of “Painting a Hole.” Mercer’s influence has long been a source of inspiration for the Wright brothers, and his silky harmonies on “Kitchen” add a layer of emotion to the song.
Kendall describes “Kitchen” as their “country song,” noting that it represents a sonic shift for the band. The song, rooted in the experience of witnessing a friend’s relationship crumble, came naturally to them. He cites “Gone for Good” by The Shins as one of his favorite breakup songs, admiring Mercer’s ability to convey deep emotion through his voice. When they asked Mercer to lend his vocals to “Kitchen,” they were thrilled with his enthusiastic response and contribution.
Mercer shared his excitement about the collaboration, saying, “I’ve loved watching Cal in Red develop over the past few years, and after hearing ‘Kitchen’ and the record, I was happy to get to collab!”
“Kitchen Ft. James Mercer” follows other tracks from the album, including the lead single “She Won’t Say,” and songs like “Boyfriend,” “Zebra,” and “Habits.” After concluding a headlining U.S. tour in June, Cal in Red will perform at Detroit’s The Eastern on August 2nd, offering a preview of their new LP. “Low Low” will be available digitally and as a limited edition 12″ vinyl, with pre-orders available now.