In a world full of distractions, MJ Lenderman is paying attention. You can hear it his lyrics: Images, references and things that might simply be in the background to most people become almost profound in his songwriting.

It’s a kind of storytelling Lenderman, who also plays in the band Wednesday, started gaining recognition for when he released his last album, 2022’s Boat Songs — and he’s mastering that storytelling on his latest record, Manning Fireworks.

Now, the singer-songwriter from Asheville, N.C., is being profiled by the likes of GQ and The New York Times. But that heightened profile also brings new challenges, especially as a songwriter.

“It’s just confusing, at times, to see what people attach to you,” he says. “I don’t want to write towards that, now that this version of myself has been created by bands or the internet or whoever. I want to stay as true to myself as possible.”