Sam Beam spent much of the past year looking back on his own career (issuing old lo-fi recordings from the era that yielded Iron & Wine’s classic debut album The Creek Drank The Cradle) and other people’s music (teaming with Band Of Horses leader Ben Bridwell on a covers LP). Now Beam is looking forward again, partnering with Tom Waits/Peter Gabriel associate Jesca Hoop on an album called Love Letter For Fire. Lead single “Every Songbird Says” is a brisk, gentle ballad that doesn’t concern itself with current notions of hipness. It could almost be a children’s lullaby if not for the subtle undercurrent of romance. Listen below.

Love Letter For Fire is out 4/15 on Sub Pop/Black Cricket Recording. Pre-order it at iTunes or the Sub Pop Mega Mart.