Psych-folk cult figure Ed Askew left behind one final album before his death last year. Drag City will release "The Final Painting" this summer, bringing Askew's archival work back into circulation with help from an impressive roster of collaborators.
The record features contributions from Bill Callahan, William Tyler, Ryan Jewell, and Eve Searls, among others. Jerry David DeCicca, who produced Askew's 2013 album, shepherded this posthumous collection through completion. The newly released track "Gray Air-o-Plane" showcases Sharon Van Etten's guest vocals, offering listeners a preview of the album's collaborative spirit.
Askew carved out a distinctive niche in American folk music, building a devoted following across decades despite operating largely outside mainstream attention. His introspective compositions and fingerpicked guitar work placed him in conversation with contemporary singer-songwriters, though his influence extended beyond the folk canon into experimental and psychedelic territories. The involvement of producers and musicians like Callahan and Tyler reflects the deep respect Askew commanded within underground music communities.
"The Final Painting" arrives as a document of an artist still creating during his final period. Drag City's decision to release the work demonstrates the label's commitment to preserving experimental and marginalized voices in folk and Americana traditions. For longtime listeners familiar with Askew's sparse, meditative approach to songwriting, this collection provides closure and one last opportunity to hear his distinctive voice.
The album's title carries symbolic weight, suggesting both artistic finality and creative legacy. With collaborators lending their talents to these recordings, Askew's final statement becomes a conversation between artists rather than a solo statement, expanding the intimate scope of his earlier work while honoring his singular sensibility.