At just 19 years old, Martha’s Vineyard-raised singer/songwriter Willy Mason was the second artist signed to Conor Oberst and Nate Krenkel’s Team Love Records. Major label deals soon followed, as well as high-profile opening slots for bands like Death Cab for Cutie and Radiohead. Two LPs, a slew of house shows, and a handful of festival gigs later, Mason has retreated from the limelight a bit. And though he hasn’t released a new studio record in over 3 years, the now 25-year-old is still keeping busy with scattered solo shows and studio performances.
In any event, I’m not sure if Mason has another album in the can or what his future plans may be (aside from a guest appearance on the new Mark Lanegan/Isobel Campbell record and opening for Norah Jones at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland this weekend), but he posted two wonderful recordings earlier this spring and I’d be remiss not sharing these songs. (Let’s just say that they offer plenty of hope for fans of “Oxygen.”) Stream “If It’s The End” and “Don’t Stop Now” below:
“If It’s The End”
“Don’t Stop Now”