The Avett Brothers Release New Song, ‘True Sadness’

It may be Friday, but The Avett Brothers are wallowing in “True Sadness” all the same. The folk-rock veterans have released the title track from their forthcoming album, due out June 24. The record, their ninth, is the band’s first since 2013’s Magpie and the Dandelion.

The song’s release follows that of True Sadness lead single “Ain’t No Man,” which the band put out last month. “True Sadness” itself is a study in contrast: “I hate to say it, but the way it seems is that / no one is fine,” the Avetts lament discordantly, the lyrics uplifted by sunny, jangling guitars and an ambling bass line. “Take the time to peel a few layers and you’ll find / true sadness.”

But the band insists “True Sadness” is no downer. “The phrase is speaking along the lines of viewing the life experience with some evenness,” Seth Avett told EW. “Sadness is always there, and it’s alright—it outlines something that had to happen.” Bassist Bob Crawford said, “The human heart is capable of feeling intense joy and intense sorrow at the same time. We talk about that all the time.” Crawford added, with a laugh, “I learned that in therapy.”