E.G. Phillips reimagines "The Albatross Song" with a hauntingly beautiful Folk elegance
With "The Albatross Song (Mellow Like)," San Francisco-based songwriter E.G. Phillips strips back the rollicking energy of the original, revealing a contemplative, chamber-folk gem. Arranged and recorded by two-time Grammy winner Nahuel Bronzini and his musical collaborator Felipe Ubeda, this new rendition transforms a once-spirited tune into something intimate, melancholic, and utterly mesmerizing.
Originally serving as the opener to Phillips’ second album, At Home at Sea, the song was first conceived when the songwriter, inspired by an old cowboy tune, began tinkering with chords one Thanksgiving. That bird-inspired spark has now evolved into a song that exists in two distinct worlds—the wild, unhinged energy of the original and the deeply emotive, meditative nature of this new version.
This slowed-down interpretation allows Phillips’ raw, expressive vocals to take center stage, while the atmospheric yet grand production swells with delicate layers of instrumentation. The arrangements, guided by Bronzini’s meticulous touch, fill the space with warmth and depth, creating an experience that is as intimate as it is expansive.
For longtime fans of Phillips, hearing both versions back-to-back offers an incredible contrast—proof of how a single song can morph and breathe in different ways. And for new listeners, "The Albatross Song (Mellow Like)" serves as an inviting introduction to Phillips’ knack for storytelling, mood, and melody.
This is a reimagining done right—profound, poignant, and impossible to forget. Of course it’s best listened to back to back with the original, and we’ve got a feeling you’re going to enjoy, so please check out the full album as well! There’s something so beautiful about this slightly “stripped back” version and how all the instrumentation comes through so clearly.
Go ahead and click those links below to listen, follow along, and of course to stay tuned for more in the works from the artist.
Listen to “The Albatross Song (Mellow Like)”
Artist Website
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