Emma Ogier and Eden Joel collab on post-breakup-friendship anthem “Rocksteady/HeavyMetal”

The track began as a demo Ogier made alone in summer 2024, born from the loneliness of chasing a career in music. She took it to Joel, a longtime collaborator. “Our relationship is special and complicated and has always possessed a serious feeling of depth," Ogier shared in a press statement. "What started as an undeniable connection and incessant belief in each other, in terms of us both being two young songwriters – vulnerable, on the internet and trying to make real careers of it – turned romantic, yes, but also taught us something about the weight of love: how even when its median shifts, real love is when you still hope for the others success and joy.”

Eden Joel describes the writing session as unusually frictionless. “When Emma played me the original idea for ‘Rocksteady/HeavyMetal,’ I was immediately hooked. We got straight to work on it, stringing together melodies and words with the sole intention of making each other laugh. It was an effortless process, devoid of self-criticism. I never expected anything more would come of it, so I was surprised (and initially slightly hesitant) when Emma called me about recording it.”

Ogier recently joined Bright Eyes for three shows earlier this year, filling the Emmylou Harris harmony role on songs including “Land Locked Blues” as the band celebrated the 21st anniversary of their two 2005 records, I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning and Digital Ash in a Digital Urn. She is now at work on her debut album, following a string of Americana-leaning singles.

On the live front, Ogier is set to perform during the first weekend of Austin City Limits Music Festival (2-4 October), before heading out as support for Hovvdy on the opening leg of their North American tour. That run begins 9 October in Lawrence, Kansas, and includes a 20 October stop at Sid The Cat Auditorium in Los Angeles, among other dates across the West Coast and Southwest.