photo via Spiritual Pajamas

The Skiffle Players—a California collective featuring frequent collaborators Neal Casal, Cass McCombs, Dan Horne, Farmer Dave Scher and Aaron Sperske—will release their new studio album, Skiff, on October 26, and today we premiere the lead track of the LP, “Cara.”

“‘Cara’ is a personal invitation to a higher level of being in love,” Scher, who penned the tune, tells Relix. “The sound was inspired by 1960s Mexican movie scores and psychedelic ballads. When the guys learned the song, we tracked it and got it on, I believe, the second take.  The sound coming back off the speakers was so beautiful, it blew my mind. Cass felt strongly that the song should be the lead-off track on the album, and that it shows a next step for us as a group, which I’m proud of.”

The track is propelled by a dual-acoustic-guitar melody a subtle electronic beat, with lyrics about opening yourself up to others, like the opening lines “If I showed you my true face/ Would you stand by me?/ And walk these lands with me?” and the chorus refrain “Baby, I’m ready to fly/ A lifetime of seeking is over,” plus some Spanish lyrics that convey similar feelings.

“We always have the chance to show up with more love to ourselves and the ones we love, though it’s a big risk of getting hurt when you put yourself out there without a mask—showing your true face,” Scher says. “I did take an emotional risk here, and am ready to stand by the words in this song.”

cover art for Skiff