Kurt Vile/Luke Roberts : Classic Love EP

The last time Kurt Vile released an EP it was 2023’s Back To Moon Beach. That EP was just shy of an hour long. For an EP. A mixture of mostly originals(including an ode to the great Tom Petty) and a great cover of Wilco’s “Passenger Side”. The only other person I can think of that put out a nearly hour long EP was Sufjan Stevens with 2010’s All Delighted People EP.

Kurt got the memo that an EP usually runs between 20 to 30 minutes tops and has dropped the Classic Love EP. Besides collaborating with singer/songwriter Luke Roberts on the title track and one other track, it’s mostly a subdued affair with Vile’s signature sleepy delivery and word salads. It’s a nice little summer shot of dreamy tunes and Vile doing what he does best.

youThe album opens on “Classic Love”, featuring Luke Roberts singing along in a deadpan delivery that seems to blend well with Vile’s talk-y delivery. Half singing and half lost in thought. Musically this song kind of harkens back to Vile’s earlier records. Very much in the vibes of Wakin on a Pretty Daze. With Robert’s lower vocal range it gives the impression that Vile seems to be slowing down as he’s singing. “Hit of the Highlight” is next and sits in almost somber tones with organ and a mopey tempo.

IMO, this EP doesn’t really get interesting until the “Classic Love(KV Version)” comes in. The tone is lighter and more acoustic. The track is slimmed down to its basic essentials of acoustic guitar, bass, keys, drums, and vocals. It’s a little slower and takes more time to feel that groove. “Slow Talkers ’22” is an absolutely gorgeous acoustic track, carried by Vile’s amazing fingerpicking style and that sleepy vocal. He has the distinct drawl that comes through. Do Philly folks have a drawl? I guess so. The album closes on the equally beautiful “Wildflower”, a Beach House cover that suits Vile’s style perfectly. He brings their melancholy and longing into his fold with a near perfect version.

So while the Luke Roberts collabs are fine, this EP is worth the price of admission for the back half alone. Classic Love EP is classic Kurt Vile. In EP form.