Some say life is full of second chances. Maria Taylor’s new track “If Only” is a testament to that ole cliché. The first single from her approaching album In The Next Life, it’s an acoustic reverie coupled with delicate string arrangements and lighthearted percussive adornments.

Taylor explained to Stereogum how the track was from a years-old forgotten hard drive that she found and was inspired to finish. Pal Conor Oberst heard the same exciting potential and insisted on singing on “If Only” despite her initial desire for him to guest on an entirely different track. Not only does “If Only” speak of resolution by remedying the past (“Would it all be the same?/ I’ll go back where we started”) but from its origin, it is a literal manifestation of a second chance. Taylor goes into depth about complexities of the single in relation to the greater album:

“If Only” is about believing in second chances to do things differently, to learn from our choices in this life. “In the next life” could be another life within this life, or a life after death… or both. Though these things always change, right now this might just be my favorite of all of my songs 🙂

Listen to “If Only” below.

In The Next Life is the sixth record from Taylor, but the first to be released on her label Flower Moon Records. Taylor co-produced it with Nik Freitas of Conor Oberst And The Mystic Valley Band. Joshua Radin also appears on the album. Here’s a trailer:

Tracklist:

01 “Home”
02 “Free Song”
03 “If Only”
04 “There’s Only Now”
05 “While The Rest Of Me Is Waking Up”
06 “A Good Life”
07 “It Will Find Me”
08 “Just Once”
09 “Flower Moon”
10 “Pretty Scars”

In The Next Life will be out 12/9 via Flower Moon Records. Pre-order info is coming soon. Taylor will play an album release show 12/11 at the Troubadour in Los Angeles.