No Hurry: Cautious Clay Takes His Time with ‘The Hours’ - Atwood Magazine

      On ‘The Hours: Morning,’ genre-blending artist Cautious Clay shifts from the deeply personal narratives of his previous album to delve into a more reflective and meditative realm—shaped by mindfulness, musical intuition, and a quest to reevaluate our relationship with time.

      Stream: ‘ALBUM’ – Cautious Clay

      This album responds to the ways that time can often feel inflexible and perfectionist. I aimed to create something that embodies mindfulness and freedom; being truly present in the moment.

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      The temperature in New York is 52 degrees with light rain, and if he were not engaged with press, Cautious Clay would likely be on a basketball court. Instead, he is indoors, contemplating The Hours: Morning, the inaugural part of his new three-part album. Where 2023’s Karpeh explored deep personal and familial themes, The Hours maintains a lighter touch. It remains introspective, yet more contemplative—focusing less on the past and more on the present.

      “I aimed to redefine the notion of time as something strict or anxiety-provoking,” he explains. “What if it could be liberating, even joyful?”

      The Hours: Morning – Cautious Clay

      Crafted over a multitude of sessions (with over 60 songs drafted), The Hours: Morning features just eight tracks that emotionally and sonically capture the essence of a new day—filled with clarity, curiosity, and serenity. Tracks like “Smoke Break” were recorded live in the studio, encapsulating a spontaneous vibe that reflects Clay’s approach to music and life: intuitive, grounded, and slightly unconventional.

      Cautious Clay, born Josh Karpeh, is a classically trained flutist who has transitioned into a genre-defying songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, building a career on subverting expectations. Since his breakout album Blood Type in 2018, he has collaborated with John Mayer, co-written with Taylor Swift, scored for film and television, and created a unique niche in contemporary music.

      Following the release of The Hours and in anticipation of a quickly selling fall tour, Cautious Clay spoke with Atwood Magazine about trusting his instincts, redefining productivity, and his fascination with the quiet clarity found in a jump shot.

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      :: stream/purchase The Hours: Morning here ::

      :: connect with Cautious Clay here ::

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      “No Champagne (6am)” – Cautious Clay

      Cautious Clay © Travys Owen

      A CONVERSATION WITH CAUTIOUS CLAY

      Atwood Magazine: You mentioned this album is more conversational than personal. What kinds of dialogues were you having with yourself during its creation?

      Cautious Clay: That’s an insightful question. I was focused on mindfulness—finding ways to navigate the world so that time doesn’t feel overwhelming. I wanted to reframe the concept of time, viewing it not as rigid or anxiety-inducing, but rather as something joyous, mindful, and even carefree.

      Labeling something as “personal” can be amusing since people often think that every artist's work must come from a deeply personal place. However, the reality is that some songs resonate more personally than others. My goal is to leave room for the listener to derive their own interpretation—that’s part of the dialogue I always try to foster.

      My last album, Karpeh, was intensely personal; it explored my family history and how their experiences shaped who I am. But that doesn’t mean The Hours lacks thoughtfulness. It simply carries a different energy. This album is more about how I interact with time.

      I understand you wrote over 60 songs for this project. How did you narrow it down to these eight? Will there be follow-ups like The Hours: Afternoon or Evening?

      Cautious Clay: That’s a smart observation. Yes, it will be a three-part project. I’m still working on the next sets of songs. At the moment, I’m revisiting older material, crafting new songs, and questioning, “Does this resonate with the feel or the time of day that I want to express?”

      Regarding these initial eight tracks, they felt the most “morning”-like to me—both sonically and lyrically. For example, “No Champagne” embodies that 6 a.m. vibe. I analyzed the production, tone, and nuanced lyrics. It’s subjective, but ultimately you have to make a decision. It feels almost spiritual, just following your instincts.

      You’ve brought up spirituality several times. Did your upbringing in Ohio—with its gospel and funk roots—influence this album?

      Cautious Clay: Absolutely. Ohio is known as the birthplace of funk—bands like the Ohio Players and Parliament-Funkadelic originated there. Gospel music has also greatly influenced me. You can hear that in some choruses of songs like “Traffic” or “