We’ve heard the title track among other previews of the new Walkmen record, Heaven, and now for a taste of Fleet Foxes frontman Robin Pecknold’s guest turn as backup vocalist. As with Pecknold and Co.’s Helplessness Blues, this Phil Ek-assisted set opens with thoughts on aging: “We Can’t Be Beat” finds Hamilton Leithauser reflecting on “golden dreams,” stripped down to a lone acoustic guitar and voice with Pecknold providing harmonies as we’re reminded that those dreams “all lose their glow.” Soon enough, though, the Walkmen let go of bittersweet nostalgia — both lyrically and with a steady, marching beat that pushes toward a hopeful future. “We’ll never leave / We can’t be beat,” Leithauser repeats, as if any hint of weary reluctance has been cleared away before LP7 gets off the ground. What follows on June 5th is perhaps their most well-rounded effort yet. Hear where it begins below:
