Video: Christian Lee Hutson, ‘Rubberneckers’

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Christian Lee Hutson (Photo by Jacob Boll)

Christian Lee Hutson’s quietly devastating music is full of sharp observations, sly humor, often-fanciful hopes and blunt realities. The world is more absurd than not, and it sure is entertaining.

Hutson this week announced the April 1 arrival of his sophomore album, “Quitters,” via Anti- Records. It’s produced by Phoebe Bridgers (who produced 2020’s “Beginners”) and Conor Oberst. Notably, Hutson played in the Oberst-Bridgers project Better Oblivion Community Center and in 2019 provided one of those always-show-up-for-the-opener moments on tour.

Bridgers contributes background vocals on the new single, “Rubberneckers,” and in the video directed by Zoe Donahoe and Adam Sputh, Hutson dusts off his dance moves, such as they are. Wink. “The last time I danced was at the 8th grade social and it was mainly just swaying to ‘I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing,’” Hutson says, “but I wanted to showcase what a natural, gifted dancer I am.”

“Rubberneckers” was preceded by last fall’s release, “Strawberry Lemonade,” which Hutson explains “is a a series of vignettes about memory, letting go and holding on. I remember talking to a friend, around the time that I wrote it, about the relentless repackaging of 1960s culture; so some of that ended up in there. The laugh at the beginning of the song is my friend Harry who plays bass on the song.”

As for making the album, Hutson explains the difference between “Quitters” and his debut: “When we made ‘Beginners,’ the aim was to make simple digital recordings of how I would play the songs in the room. With this record, Phoebe and Conor had an idea that it would be fun to make it to tape. Phoebe is my best friend and making ‘Beginners’ with her was so comfortable and easy. So I wanted to work with her again.

“I took a long time with ‘Beginners,’” he adds. “I had those songs for 10 years, but these songs came out a lot faster.”

And because the new songs came quickly, Hutson cops to having “a little bit of insecurity with the lyrics. Having Conor there served the purpose of someone who I really respect as a lyricist and could soothe my anxiety.”

||| Watch: The video for “Rubberneckers”

||| Also: Watch the video for “Strawberry Lemonade”

||| Previously: “Talk,” “Northsiders”