Following a year marked by constant creative motion, Peter Matthew Bauer has shared a new standalone track, “Gold Paint for Blue Skies,” which premiered via Stereogum. The release arrives on the heels of Bauer’s recent output with Hyloxolos and underscores his continued evolution beyond his work with The Walkmen.

“Gold Paint for Blue Skies” features a familiar and eclectic lineup. Walkmen bandmate Matt Barrick contributes drums and drum machines, while Starcrawler’s Henri Cash handles bass duties. The track was mixed by Joey Oaxaca and mastered by Christopher Colbert, resulting in a sound that balances precision with looseness, leaning into texture and atmosphere rather than overt heaviness.

The new single follows Bauer’s earlier release, “Doom,” in October and the November arrival of Hyloxolos, a full-length project that marked a distinct sonic departure. Conceived as a heavy rock ‘n’ roll collaboration, Hyloxolos brought together Darkside’s Dave Harrington, Earth’s Dylan Carlson, Meatbodies’ Dylan Fujioka, and Trench’s Otis Bauer. The project recently made its live debut with an album release show at Zebulon in Los Angeles.

While Hyloxolos explored volume and weight, “Gold Paint for Blue Skies” operates as a more focused statement—separate from the band project but still reflective of Bauer’s restless creative pace over the past year.

Born in Washington, D.C., Bauer first emerged as a founding member of The Walkmen, releasing six full-length albums with the band. His solo career began with Liberation! in 2014, followed by Mount Qaf in 2019. In 2022, he released Flowers on his own Fortune Tellers imprint, earning widespread acclaim, including NPR’s Album of the Week and placement among the outlet’s best rock albums of the year.

With “Gold Paint for Blue Skies,” Bauer continues to operate fluidly between collaboration and solo work, favoring momentum over pause. Whether fronting a full band or releasing one-off material, his output remains rooted in instinct and forward motion.

Photo credit: Walter Martin

Follow PETER MATTHEW BAUER | Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube | Bandcamp