Courtney barnett's desert-inspired new album 'creatures of habit'

Singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett has released her latest album, 'Creatures of Habit', a year after her 2021 record 'Things Take Time, Take Time'. The new album was born from a period of reflection and creative growth for Barnett, who moved from Melbourne to Los Angeles in recent years.

Inspiration in the california desert

Barnett found inspiration in the California desert, recording some of the album at Rancho De La Luna, a studio nestled in the Joshua Tree area. She described the environment as 'peaceful' with 'no real distractions', allowing her to focus on writing and recording.

'I started writing for a year, and then I set myself a year from then to get in the studio,' Barnett explained in an interview with Vogue. 'Recording there was so nice. It was just so, so peaceful, with no real distractions.'

The album's lead single, 'Sugar Plum', features a lyric that encapsulates the raw, honest tone of much of Barnett's Music: 'I know I got a sensitive heart / I'm always picking it apart when I throw it to the vultures / They don't want it either, probably too sincere.'

Barnett collaborated with Waxahatchee's Katie Crutchfield on the track 'Site Unseen', with Crutchfield's soaring vocals adding a new dimension to the song.

'I wrote that song and thought her voice would be so perfect for the high harmony, because her range is so beautiful,' Barnett said. 'I just asked her if she'd be up for it, and she was!'

'Creatures of Habit' marks Barnett's return to the Music scene after a five-year hiatus, and the album's desert-inspired sound is a testament to her new surroundings in LA. Barnett has been enjoying her time in the city, finding a balance between her creative pursuits and a more relaxed lifestyle.

'I've really been enjoying it,' she said. 'I adopted a dog and I really love hiking; I love the proximity of friends and restaurants and social life and work, but then, you know, 20 minutes up the hill, you can hike for two hours.'

With 'Creatures of Habit', Barnett continues to cement her reputation as a thoughtful, introspective songwriter with a unique ability to craft catchy, indie-pop infused tracks. The album is a welcome return from an artist who has built a devoted following with her honest, relatable lyrics and distinctive vocal style.