Thin Lear, the moniker of critically acclaimed New Jersey musician Matt Longo, has shared his version of the folk canon essential “The Beast in Me.” The track features guitarist Alan Parker of the Spacebomb collective, accompanied by pianist Jake Sherman. The track was written by Nick Lowe who wrote the original, and made famous by Johnny Cash. Thin Lear’s new album drops in 2026 via First City Artists (Coco).

Matt Long on “The Beast in Me”:

“The Beast in Me” feels like a foundational part of my language of existence, one of those canon songs that articulates a particularly honest and, in this case, ugly part of the soul. For a song with such an ominous title, it really lends itself to completely different interpretations. I see the lyric as a gentle reminder that you can make everything in your life fall apart quite easily if you, just for a moment, let the destructive piece of yourself take the wheel.”

Thin Lear has collaborated with Matthew E. White (Natalie Prass, Hiss Golden Messenger, The Mountain Goats) and shared stages with Jesse Malin, Greg Mendez, Charlie Parr, and The Shivers, among others. Thin Lear’s sophomore album is expected in 2026; details to be announced.

Thin Lear ‘The Beast in Me”
Out Aug 5 on First City Artists
Lyrics & Credits

Produced by Matt Longo & Carlos Fonseca
Mixed & Engineered by Carlos Fonseca
Mastered by Joe Lambert
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, & Percussion – Matt Longo
Electric Guitar – Alan Parker
Piano, Organ, Wurlitzer – Jake Sherman
Additional Percussion – Carlos Fonseca

Lyrics (Nick Lowe):
The beast in me
Is caged by frail and fragile bars
Restless by day and by night
Rants and rages at the stars
God help the best in me

The best in me
Has had to learn to live with pain
And how to shelter from the rain
And in the twinkling of an eye
Might have to be restrained
God help the beast in me

Sometimes it tries to kid me
That it’s just a teddy bear
Or even somehow managed
To vanish in the air
That is when I must beware

The beast in me
That everybody knows
They’ve seen him out dressed in my clothes
Patently unclear
Whether it’s New York
Or New Year
God help the beast in me

Order “The Beast in Me” by Thin Lear HERE