Bartees Strange releases his sophomore album, Farm to Table, on Friday, and he’s dropped off one more single, titled “Wretched.” Stream it via the accompanying Michael Parks Randa-directed music video below.
Yet another display of the vulnerability for which Strange has become known, “Wretched” is a powerful reflection upon his past in which the musician thinks about everyone who has supported his journey thus far. “I was trying to be something wretched,” he sings. “Something I saw on TV/ But you were the only one who would come through calling/ You found ways to rescue me.”
In a statement, Strange explained his motivation for the track. “This song is about the people who’ve always stood by me, even when I was wretched,” Strange said. “When I was trying to be something other than myself — they saw me even through that and held me down. Folks from past lives, and folks who’ll play a big part in my future — I’m grateful for them and the love they’ve poured into me. This song is for and about them.”
“Wretched” follows the previous singles “Cosigns” and “Hold the Line.” In March, Strange shared an exclusive Origins breakdown of “Heavy Heart,” one of the best songs of 2022 to date.
Following a headlining show at The Getty in Los Angeles on June 18th, Strange will play a string of shows in Europe and the UK this summer before returning to North America in late July; tickets are available now via Ticketmaster.
