“Lorelai” is a beautiful track Alex Kahn wrote as an ode to his dog. The Philadelphia-based artist elaborates in detail about the themes below, exploring specifically the unique connection between a person and their dog, and the hovering concept of mortality.
“Walking down the quiet side, of Nebraska Avenue,” Kahn sings, taking us on a walk with Lorelai. “You set the pace and I abide / We’re getting nowhere very soon.” The same hydrants and patches of grass are a delight, especially as Lorelai provides comfort from life’s greater uncertainties: “Lorelai, you know my sky is falling down / And you’re the cover that I’ve found.” As Kahn addresses Lorelai, the vibe is fondly reminiscent of Magnetic Fields, with heartfelt, witty lyrics converging with a quaint, folk-friendly allure.
“Don’t you ever leave,” Kahn repeats in the track’s conclusion, after looking to a future without Lorelai, taking photos of favorite sights during a walk, looking forward to share moments together again one day. “Lorelai” is a reminder of life’s beautiful connections and the power of love, especially needed in times like these.
““Lorelai” is a love letter to my dog. It explores the non-verbal communication that occurs between a person and their dog. How do we live in such intimate communion with another being for so long and not have a single conversation in human language, yet so much is said and expressed. I wrote this song inspired by our long walks through LA. The song also gets into some feelings of helplessness and control. How do we embark on relationships with pets when we know we will outlive them. There is a feeling of “pre-grief” that accompanies this song and is expressed fully in the last verse. We take a leap of faith and bring this love into our lives knowing that they’re going to die and so are we. All we can do is jump into the fire. It also touches on my own neuroses surrounding losing her. In a self-deprecating way, I make fun of all of the safety precautions I take with my dog: gates on the stoop, GPS collars, etc. Because losing her would be too much to bear as she was a keystone of comfort for me during these difficult years. It is also a potential insight into how I might feel as a parent, which is terrifying. The music itself is subdued and intimate. The classical guitars have a soft tone that feels ambivalent. Both sad and also hopeful.”
Stream the rest of Kahn’s recent album, The Marble Jar, below:
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“Lorelai” and other memorable tracks from this month can also be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of January 2021’ Spotify playlist.
The track is also featured in the genre-based, best-of Spotify compilation Emerging Indie Folk.
