Caleb Lee Hutchinson dropped a new surprise EP titled Songs I’ll Never Play Again. The set includes six new songs, and a short horror-themed film, just in time for Halloween.
“This is the most excited and nervous I have ever been to release a project but I am so excited to share it with you all,” The American Idol season 16 runner-up wrote on social media. “I’ve always loved the horror movie genre, and if you know me, you’ve heard me rant about my favorite show, Dexter.”
Caleb continued, “I’d like to think the music on this project is haunting, melancholy, and very Halloween feeling overall. So I hope that the music and video excite people who are fans of those things like I am. Thanks for staying behind me all these years and I’m excited for the next chapter.”
The projected started with a song he penned during the pandemic.
“I wrote the song “Preservation” in the beginning of 2020 and had the thought that it reminded me of old school country/bluegrass murder ballads that I had heard as a child,” Caleb explained, “Not so much in the lyrical content, but the overall feel. It felt like fall, trees dying, seasonal depression already on it’s way. The idea then became to make the whole project sound that way. Sort of nostalgic and eery, very much reflective of Halloween time.”
Along with the EP, Caleb decided to explore his love of the horror genre, and created a short film that tied the project together.
“I had the thought of bringing to life a visual element that also reflected the same feel. As a massive fan of the horror genre in film, and a proud Dexter super fan, I thought it would be cool to stretch the meaning of the songs into a dramatic, psychological thriller,” Caleb said, “I tried to treat this entire project with the thought of, ‘What would I think was cool if I saw someone else doing it?'”
“This whole project was for me, it allowed me to release songs I had cared about for a long time, and do something that felt artistically gratifying. I hope that people enjoy it this Halloween season, and so on.”
“This whole video is a take on classic slasher films and horror movies.”
Dressed in a bloody t shirt, Caleb opens his short film with an intro: “As you might notice from this first little glimpse, it’s going to be a different type of video.” He continues, “This may not be what you know me for, so if you are the type of person who has issues with blood, scenes featuring violence and or gore, I highly recommend that you use your discretion.” He warns kids to ask their parents first before watching, joking, “If you’ve got bad parents, they’ll let you watch it!”
“This whole video is a take on classic slasher films and horror movies. This EP that we’re dropping is full of spooky and sad songs. So I had the dream of making my own little scary movie….if you do choose to watch it, I hope you enjoy it.”
Check out the EP below. Caleb’s slasher film tops it off. In it, his girlfriend gets sliced up and well…If you like that sort of thing, watch until the end.
Caleb Lee Hutchinson – Songs I’ll Never Play Again
Caleb is set to host a release/Halloween party for his EP Songs I’ll Never Play Again Monday, October 31 at Bobby’s Idle Hour in Nashville from 6-8 pm.
Previously, Caleb released the 2021 set, Slot Machine Syndrome produced by Bren Cobb. Kristian Bush from Sugarland produced his self-titled post-Idol debut in 2019. Another recent project is the Green Coach podcast, where he interviews guests from all walks of life, professions and experiences.
