Carly Simon Announces First Album of Original Songs in 18 Years with “Comes in Waves”, Shares Lead Single ‘Howl’ (Exclusive)

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PEOPLE can exclusively premiere Carly Simon’s new single “Howl”
“Howl” is the lead single from the singer-songwriter’s first album of original music in 18 years, Comes in Waves
Comes in Waves is due Aug. 14

PEOPLE can exclusively premiere the lead single from the singer-songwriter’s first new album of original music in 18 years, Comes in Waves.

The song, “Howl,” is a stirring folk-pop anthem that sees Simon weaving through a rollercoaster-of emotions.

“‘Howl’ lives in that space between betrayal and forgiveness, where anger has to be voiced before it can be released,” she said in a statement. “It’s about letting the frustration out so it doesn’t sit and simmer. The song begins in anger, but it moves toward forgiveness, and speaks to any situation where trust has been broken.”

Carly Simon
Credit: Sally Taylor

“Howl like the wind / Roar like the river / Wail like the rain / Cry, shout and shiver / Shake like a dog / Hiss like the fire / Scratch at the moon / Call love a liar,” she sings on the chorus.

Comes in Waves is Simon’s first new album of original songs since 2008.

The 12-track record, which is deeply personal, was largely written in her Martha’s Vineyard studio. It features newly written songs along with earlier compositions she chose to revisit and complete.

For the album, Simon enlisted John Forté, who died earlier this year, as well as Simon’s son Ben, who appears on the project as a singer, musician, producer, and songwriter, in addition to her daughter Sally, who contributes vocals and created the cover artwork for the single.

Carly Simon
Credit: Sally Taylor

Simon also teamed up with legendary producer Paul Samwell-Smith to revisit and rework “Share The End,” a song he originally produced for Simon’s landmark 1971 album Anticipation and to help oversee the LP. She also worked with longtime collaborator, producer and engineer Frank Filipetti.

Per a press release, Simon’s forthcoming album “does not attempt to recreate the past.”

“Instead, it continues the conversation Simon has been having with her audience for decades, one grounded in truth, vulnerability, and a refusal to simplify emotion. It is a reminder of an artist still fully engaged with her craft, still asking questions, and still finding new ways to articulate what it means to live, to love, and to let go,” it reads.

Simon’s most recent studio album featuring original material is This Kind of Love, which was released in 2008.

The following year, the “You’re So Vain” hitmaker shared Never Been Gone, an album featuring an acoustic spin on her classic hits.

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