I didn't realise how much I'd missed Yeah Yeah Yeahs until they came back, with their first new album in 9 years, Cool It Down, out on 30th September. As expected, the music is accompanied by stunning visuals, the latest of which is second 'single', Burning. The video is directed by Cody Critcheloe aka SSION, who goes way back with the band, producing the artwork for Yeah Yeah Yeahs debut album, 2003's Fever To Tell, whilst still at school.
Burning was preceded in June by Spitting Off The Edge Of The World, featuring Perfume Genius, a sonic slab of synth-washed bliss that sits well with my other 80s/90s/goth/shoegaze/electronica inspired purchases this year by Trentemøller, Andy Bell, Dan Wainwright and Pye Corner Audio. There are two videos for Spitting Off The Edge Of The World, both again directed by Cody Critcheloe, the first a glorious technicolour feast, the second in black and white and focusing on the 'live' performance used in the closing scenes of the former. Both are perfect complements to the song.
Up to now, I've still been regularly listening to Karen O & Danger Mouse's collaboration from 2019, Lux Prima. It's a great album and I'd highly recommend it. In preparing today's post, I found a performance of Woman from The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, directed by Spike Jonze, which is wonderful.
Today's post title is taken from the sub-titles used in the Burning video, which bear no relation to the lyrics of the song.
It's good to have you back.
Thanks for the heads up, Khayem. I have long loved Karen O's individuality and adore Lux Prima, one of my fave albums of all time I think, it takes you places...
ReplyDeleteThat's a heartwarming snippet about Cody Critcheloe's art too.
Thanks, C, I think Karen O is an incredible artist. I don't tend to follow music and celebrity news feeds so I didn't know about Lux Prima until it was out and it was both a surprise and delight. Burning and Spitting Off The Edge Of The World seem to be a natural progression whilst still identifiable as Yeah Yeah Yeahs, so I'm really looking forward to the new album.
DeleteI also love the soundtrack to Where The Wild Things Are by Karen O & The Kids...which featured the rest of YYYs anyway, as well as a slew of fellow musicians.
Really appreciate the heads-up as I wasn't aware there was a comeback - but then again I really don't do anything near enough to keep up with what's happening out there as I'm too busy with all the nostalgic stuff.
ReplyDeleteHave always enjoyed Yeah Yeah Yeahs, but this is a long way removed from the songs I most like back in the days of Fever To Tell. Maybe they'll grow on me.
Yes, there's arguably been a steady move away from the Fever To Tell sound with each release but I've enjoyed the direction the band has taken. Karen O's album with Danger Mouse has been much played here and, on the basis of what I've heard so far, it's a good primer for the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs album.
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