Tim Heidecker is back with a new album, Slipping Away. Building on the successes of 2020’s Fear of Death and 2022’s High School, Slipping Away brings to life his most heartfelt and expansive effort yet. The album tells a larger story, with vivid imagery, memorable melodies, and some of his most personal and impactful lyrics to date.

Reflecting on his first combined comedy and music tour in 2022, Heidecker noticed a deep connection with his audience. “People my age, maybe a little younger, would come up to me and say, ‘That is how I feel. And it’s nice to know you feel that way, too,’” he shares. Unlike his surrealist work in film and television, Heidecker's music aims to foster genuine connections.

Collaborating with the Very Good Band - Eliana Athayde (bass, vocals, additional production), Josh Adams (drums), Vic Berger (keyboards), and Connor “Catfish” Gallaher (guitar, pedal steel), along with a special contribution from his daughter Amelia, Heidecker created songs that explore universal anxieties and familiar settings, sometimes with a touch of apocalyptic unease. The songs, even when stripped down to solo acoustic performances, resonate with instantly hummable melodies and singalong choruses, transcending their initial themes. The cleverly constructed “Well’s Running Dry” turns a writer’s block situation into a reflection on insecurity and aging. “At first, I worried it’s not cool to talk about,” Heidecker admits. “But then I thought - let’s challenge that and push past it.”

Crafted to feel like a compelling live set, Slipping Away builds emotional intensity and impact throughout. Heidecker describes the album as a genuine group project, a euphoric experience that brought his songs to life. “My favorite records are the ones recorded live in a room with a band,” mused Heidecker, citing influences like Dylan, the Beatles, and the Band. “And that’s what we did.” Throughout the album, he and Athayde often duet, sometimes channeling a Gram-and-Emmylou dynamic with the latter’s empathetic harmonies.

Working on the album marked a significant personal breakthrough for Heidecker. “Having been in entertainment for 20 years, it was revitalizing to step out of my comfort zone. It was a learning opportunity,” he reflects. After collaborating with artists like Mac DeMarco, Weyes Blood, and Father John Misty, Heidecker continues to push his creative boundaries. He believes in the idea that “work begets inspiration,” with each project leading to the next. “People often ask about the difference between making music and comedy,” he says. “I’ve realized that it’s not about genres. It’s all part of one big creative endeavor. I think it’s fairly united.”