Thundercat Enlists Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins for New Single, “Show You the Way” [Audio]

After Thundercat released his debut album The Golden Age of Apocolypse in 2011, he solidified a place in our electronic loving hearts with his unique vibronic style of playing bass, adding layers to his compositions. From working with friend and label mate Flying Lotus to collaborating with Kendrick Lamar on Untitled, Taylor McFerrin, Childish Gambino, Bilal, the list is long!

In an interview with Red Bull Music Academy, the bassist reflects on the song’s meaning, “That song to me is about going down the rabbit hole, taking you to another place… On the edge of dark, there’s the brightest light. It means a lot to me in the sense of… the experience that I’ve had growing up with friends and people that I’ve been around where it’s inviting them into where I come from emotionally. Sometimes it’s a pretty intense thing. The point is how weird things can get. I feel like it’s very funny that, in a way, of course Michael McDonald and Kenny would be there.”

This collaboration between Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins should come as no surprise; it is evident where Thundercat’s inspirations come from. “Show You the Way” has a classic 80s McDonald groove, with Loggin’s falsetto, Thundercat providing angelic harmonies (their voices magically blend well!), and musically capturing a time when music felt like a ray of sunshine on a bright summer’s day.

One of The Doobie Brothers biggest hits was “What a Fool Believes,” which was co-written by Loggins and McDonald. These blue-eyed soul men have had a long and successful shared history in music, and it’s amazing they created synergy on a track with Thundercat.

Drunk, Thundercat’s fourth studio album is scheduled to release February 24, on Brainfeeder and will include Kendrick Lamar, Flying Lotus, Kamasi Washington, Pharrell Williams, and Wiz Khalifa on tracks.