After the Broken West became permanently broken in 2009, Ross Flournoy languished in obscurity for about a year. According to the Apex Manor page over at their label Merge Records, Flournoy was inspired to get back into songwriting by participating in a weeklong write and then record contest over at NPR’s Monitor Mix:

Now feeling inspired for the first time in months, Flournoy began writing at a feverish clip, penning more than 25 songs, nearly a third of which were co-written by Adam Vine. Flournoy then teamed up with former Broken West bandmate Brian Whelan to record some proper demos, and Apex Manor was born.

Haven’t had a chance yet to purchase the new Apex Manor album, which debuted on January 25, but if it’s anything like the above song, I’m all over it.

UPDATE: We would be remiss if we didn’t mention that Apex Manor plays at the Tractor Tavern tonight with Red Jacket Mine and Spanish For 100. It’ll be $8 at the door, 21+.