Supernova

This is the title track and lead single of Ray LaMontagne's fifth studio album. The record was produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys who helped dip the New Hampshire singer-songwriter 's folky sound into psychedelic waters. LaMontagne told American Songwriter magazine: "I always liked that psychedelic sound. I was always a fan of early Pink Floyd. I like the Kinks, the Troggs. I loved all that stuff. Captain Beefheart too. So I think this album is maybe tipped a little more in that direction in terms of influences." "I just really allowed myself to write a different kind of song," he added. "I thought people might not like it, but that's never been a factor for me. I've been writing songs now for fifteen years and so I can trust my gut at this point."

Ray LaMontagne initially felt no pressure to swiftly produce a follow-up album to his 2010's Grammy winning set, God Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise. However the right songs were eluding him, so in 2012 the songwriter decided to seek help. He wrote to his friend Elvis Costello for advice. LaMontagne told American Songwriter magazine: "He's always been a sort of mentor to me. Overall, I was just going through this weird stage. Nothing was sounding interesting to me. I'd think, I don't want to do that, or, I've done that already. It was like the well had run dry. So I put my heart on my sleeve, and I told Elvis, 'God, I don't know what the hell I'm doing. I feel like I'm banging my head against the wall.' And he said, 'There's only one way. You just have to trust that inner voice.' That was really helpful. So I just really allowed myself to write a different kind of song."