Photo Credit: Noah Lenker

Big Thief have returned with Passional Relations, a new EP to support wildfire relief in Southern California. The trio’s first collection of new music since 2022’s Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You compiles five previously unheard songs and is available exclusively as a digital download from their webstore.

Four of the tracks on Passional Relations were originally intended for release on the band’s last full-length project. “Imagination” and “Light as Light,” which open the collection, were recorded by the band’s longtime engineer Dom Monks in 2020. “Waiting on Blue” was recorded by Scott McMicken of Dr. Dog and features vocals from regular collaborator Mat Davidson, who performs by the stage name Twain. The fourth track, “Zombie Girl,” was set to tape by Sam Owens at his Flying Cloud Studios in the Catskills; an early version also appears on Adrianne Lenker’s 2020 solo album songs. The only entry not recorded in 2020 is “Shadow Too,” which predates U.F.O.F. and Two Hands, set to tape by James Krivchenia in Topanga, Calif. in 2018.

“Our hearts are broken for everyone affected by the fires in California,” the band detailed in a press release. “We’ve put together some of our favorite unreleased songs into an EP called Passional Relations, only available on our webstore, and all proceeds will go toward providing relief for those impacted by the fires in Los Angeles. Our hope is that these contributions will not only help address the crucial and immediate needs of affected communities but also help sustain the work, identity, and culture of the artists within them.”

The release details that “The majority of the proceeds will be donated to the Plus1LA Fires Fund, which directly supports organizations working on the ground to address critical needs like housing, education, animal welfare, and more. The rest will go to local musicians, artists and community members who need extra support during this time.” Fans can purchase Passional Relations here.

Passional Relations – Big Thief:
1. Imagination
2. Light as Light
3. Waiting on Blue
4. Zombie Girl
5. Shadow Too