Palehound's "Eye on the Bat" trades the expansive arrangements of prior work for a more direct, urgent sound, prioritizing raw energy and Kempner's concise lyricism. The album arrives as a confident statement from an artist hitting a new stride.
- "Eye on the Bat" was recorded with producer Tony Berg at his Los Angeles studio. The album features contributions from a number of notable musicians, including drummer Eli Crews and bassist Mia De Simone. "Eye on the Bat" was released on July 14, 2023, charting at #25 on the Billboard Heatseekers albums chart.
- The album was written during and in the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. Kempner has stated that the songs were often written and recorded in quick succession, aiming for a sense of immediacy. "Eye on the Bat" was the first release from Palehound on the Polyvinyl Record label.
- The album received positive reviews from critics, with many highlighting Kempner's lyrical depth and the record's more immediate production. Several songs from the album, including "My Kind of Crazy" and "The Clutching," received significant airplay on independent radio stations. The album's lead single, "The Clutching," was released in April 2023, preceding the album's summer release.
Palehound is the indie rock project of songwriter and guitarist Ellen Kempner. Kempner has been releasing music as Palehound since the mid-2010s, developing a reputation for sharp songwriting and dynamic guitar work. In 2023, Palehound released "Eye on the Bat," their first album for Polyvinyl Records, following a period of touring and recording with other artists.
Tracklist
