On Feb. 23, Dave Matthews released “Pretty Bird,” a new single covering Hazel Dickens’ haunting 1967 folk composition. Figuring into the soundtrack for the Ordinary Angels, a new film pitched and produced by Matthews, the song figures the artist in unconventionally intimate sonic terrain, peeling back his typical full and elaborate arrangements to reveal just his voice and acoustic guitar.

This short, sweet and simple tune makes history as the first solo recording issued by Matthews since 2003’s Some Devil; even then, as only the title track on this beloved project presents the artist alone, “Pretty Bird” marks the second-ever solo studio recording released by Matthews. In his latest, the prolific musician is laid bare, embracing frailty and vulnerability in his vocal and instrumental performance for a 180-second tender, longing cry for freedom.

Fans who attended Dave Matthews Band’s show at Las Vegas’ Dolby Live on March 1 were treated to the new treatment’s live debut, where it was presented as a stirring solo encore to close the band’s first performance of 2024. While this was the song’s first performance at a DMB show, it has previously been staged by Dave & Tim, who debuted the cover as a duo at their 2017 Mexico series and revived it this year at the event’s seventh annual staging.

Dave Matthews’ “Pretty Bird” is available on all streaming platforms now. Listen via YouTube below.