Blog Summary

Cass McCombs unveils ‘Peace’, the second single from his upcoming album ‘Interior Live Oak’. It will arrive August 15th via Domino Records, marking his return to the label after nearly a decade.

‘Peace’ builds around the simple wisdom that goodbyes don’t have to be dramatic. McCombs delivers the line “Peace is what we say when we say goodbye” with the kind of resignation that sounds hard-earned rather than casual. The production opts for straightforward rock textures – serpentine guitar riffs and steady rhythms that let the sentiment breathe.

The track represents McCombs at his most economical, distilling two decades of experimentation into something direct yet nuanced. Where his previous work often wandered through complex emotional landscapes, ‘Peace’ stays focused on a moment of acceptance. It’s the sound of someone who’s lived through extremes and found contentment in simplicity.

This approach stems from his recent archival work, including last year’s Seed Cake on Leap Year, which reminded him of his earliest creative impulses. The song suggests Interior Live Oak will offer similar clarity throughout its sixteen tracks.

The production choices support this thesis – clean guitars, uncluttered arrangements, vocals that sit comfortably in the mix rather than demanding attention. It’s craftsmanship over showmanship, depth over complexity. McCombs has always been capable of both approaches, but here he chooses restraint.