Preloved announces debut album Willow with lead single “Motorcycle”

The news arrives with with the lead single “Motorcycle”, a stripped-back lo-fi cut reminiscent of Hovvdy and Slaughter Beach, Dog that clocks in just over 90 seconds.

Watson is best known as the drummer and producer for Canadian indie outfit fanclubwallet, and as a key oarticipant in Ottawa’s DIY scene. They spent three years quietly assembling Willow, much of it alone on camping trips across Ontario Provincial Parks, recording with a borrowed portable battery. Field sounds from those environments – cicadas, wind, ambient rustle – seep into the fabric of the songs.

The album was entirely self-made: Watson wrote, performed, recorded, mixed, and mastered every element, though long-time creative partner Hannah Judge (fanclubwallet) contributes co-writing and vocals on a handful of tracks, including “Motorcycle”. Watson describes the song as a moment of lightness amid heavier themes.

“'Motorcycle' is the lighter side of this period of my life,” they say. “Last spring, I really wanted a dirtbike, and there was just no way I could afford one or even begin to entertain the idea. So I wrote a song with my partner Hannah about it instead.”

Willow tracklist

“R2R (Quits)”
“Heading Out”
“Granite Hill”
“Motorcycle”
“Canton”
“Interlude”
“Mile 11”
“Willow”
“Heart Stops (Birds Talk)”

Willow artwork