Ben Kweller releases “Oh Dorian,” a heartfelt tribute from his newest album Cover The Mirrors. He opens this project after losing his son Dorian Zev Kweller in a car accident two years ago.
The song finds Kweller reflecting on his relationship with Dorian through simple guitar chords and unguarded lyrics. Kweller writes and produces the track, inviting MJ Lenderman to join him in vocal harmony. Lenderman, known for his work with cult favorite band Wednesday and acclaimed solo performances, brings a raw precision that supports Kweller’s intimate message without overshadowing it.
Kweller built his career in the early two thousands with his debut solo album, which he recorded in his parents’ Austin home. He rose from college-era basement shows to headline stages worldwide, earning praise for his melodic songwriting and guitar work. Over the years, he collaborated with acts such as The Lemonheads and his own band Radish. He founded The Noise Company to support emerging artists and to retain creative control. That background informs Cover The Mirrors, his first album since Dorian’s passing, and it shows in the way “Oh Dorian” balances grief and gratitude in under four minutes.
MJ Lenderman earned attention in indie circles with his band Wednesday, landing late night TV spots and sharing stages with high-profile figures. He steps into Kweller’s narrative to echo the music community’s solidarity in grief. Together, they shape a warm “choogle” rhythm—viewers might even call it deceptively upbeat—until Kweller’s voice cracks at the line “wish I could see him again.” That moment underscores the song’s emotional weight.
Cover The Mirrors arrives this late spring under The Noise Company label. Fans will find “Oh Dorian” available on all streaming platforms alongside other pre‐released singles. Kweller’s decision to release this album now emphasizes authenticity. He channels his decades of songwriting expertise into a record that documents loss as part of life’s mirror. Listeners familiar with his earlier work will notice how this collection extends his catalog while reflecting a new depth of experience and trust in honest expression.
Produced by Ben Kweller
30 May 2025
1 Song, 4 minutes
℗ 2025 The Noise Company
Lyrics
[Verse]
Crystal child, double-Gemini
A million songs in his head
Doesn’t care if you’re wrong or right
He believes what you said
Summer smile, breezy laugh
Long hair waves in the wind
Nothing like being by his side
Wish I could see him again
[Chorus]
Oh Dorian, where did you go?
Oh Dorian, please let me know
Oh Dorian, my best friend
But I can’t wait to hang with you again
[Verse]
Watch him glow and radiate
When he walks through the door
Understands a-what you say
’cause he’s been there before
Drive all night hoppin’ place to place
Connecting everyone
And since he left you can see it on everybody’s face
Nothing is as fun
[Chorus]
Oh Dorian, where did you go?
Oh Dorian, please let me know
Oh Dorian, my best friend
But I can’t wait to hang with you again
[Musical Interlude]
[Chorus]
Oh Dorian, where did you go?
Oh Dorian, please let us know
Oh Dorian, my best friend
I just call your name
Life just ain’t the same
I can’t wait to hang with you again
