Floating On Clouds Of Ecstasy

If you're a regular visitor to the Bagging Area blog (and if not, you will be after this post), then you will have read about Jamie xx's collaboration with The Avalanches on the excellent single All You Children.

He's only gone and done it again. Jamie xx that is, not Swiss Adam (though I wouldn't discount the latter having a club classic within him). And he's brought more friends along for the ride: Kelsey Lu, John Glacier and Panda Bear aka Noah Lennox from Animal Collective.

Dafodil (sic) comes with the same high recommendation - and health warning when it comes to watching the video - as All You Children and is another reason to eagerly anticipate Jamie xx's album In Waves, due on 20th September, barely a fortnight away.

If you need further evidence why this will be a strong contender for end of year accolades, here's Jamie's team up up with Robyn which is of course superb.

 

Cherry On Top

I mentioned yesterday that Jeb Loy Nichols shared a London squat with Neneh Cherry in the early 1980s, which seems as good an excuse as any to revisit Neneh's incredible catalogue. 

I've skipped her early ventures with Rip Rig + Panic, Float Up CP, The Slits, New Age Steppers and The The (although I did feature that song in August 2022) and focussed on 1988's ground breaking Raw Like Sushi, right up to 2022's The Versions, which (mostly) reworks songs from that astonishing debut. In typically contrary fashion, I'm doing it in reverse chronological order.

Much as I love Neneh Cherry, frankly I found The Versions below par, Sia's go at Manchild being a prime example of faithful cover versions only highlighting that the original was so, so much better. Thankfully, the ever dependable Kelsey Lu at least takes the song in a different direction, thereby avoiding any unfavourable comparisons. Unfortunately, there are few examples like this on the album to recommend it. 

However, it's Neneh all the way from there on in (plus one collaboration with Swedish-Norwegian free jazz/jazz rock trio The Thing), so you know you're in for some quality sounds and some memorable visuals. I've not seen most of these videos before so it was a treat to experience the songs again in these settings.

And, in case you missed it, I've reactivated the links to my mega-mama Neneh Cherry selection (two volumes, two hours!) to celebrate her 60th back in March 2024.

If it's sweetness that you're looking for, you're in the right place.

 

 

 

 

 

I Wonder If They'll Ever Claim Us

Finger on the pulse as always, a YouTube catch up with Kelsey Lu brought me to Mykki Blanco and their collaboration on French Lessons from last July.

I've heard of Mykki Blanco but, apart from a guest spot on a track on Tricky's 2014 album Adrian Thaws, I don't own or have knowingly heard any of their music. French Lessons is a wonderful single (in addition to Kelsey Lu, also featuring a contribution from Anonhi) with a striking video directed by Felix Kalmenson. 

I was sufficiently intrigued to check out another single from March 2022, Family Ties, this time featuring Michael Stipe. Apart from the fact that it's great to see and hear Stipe singing again, it's another strong narrative matched by a stunning, stark video directed by Kit Monteith and Krishna Muthurangu.

 

Mykki Blanco released their fifth album, Stay Close To Music, in October 2022 with a further single to promote it. Carry On is the closing song of the album, with a guest vocal from Jónsi, Sigur Rós front person and solo artist. 

Although I take Iffypedia with a pinch of salt, it's probably a better start than any ignorant and ill-informed effort on my part to outline the basics 'about' Mykki Blanco after half an hour's onliine 'research'. Suffice to say, theirs is a complex, challenging and ultimately optimistic journey. I've also posted the lyrics to Carry On below, which tell their own story of being a Black American trans rapper living with HIV and evolving and developing as an artist in the public eye over the last ten years.

The first Bandcamp Friday of 2023 lands tomorrow. I've added Stay Close To Music to my shopping list.

 

Black and gay
I wonder if they'll ever claim us
HIV, I've got HIV, can I still be famous?
Will they wait 'til I'm dead to give me credit
These thoughts run through my head
I try to dead 'em and just bless God instead
I've been with the shits since 2012, my nigga
Made it out of personal hell, my nigga J-Lo, the cell
I figure this, life is but a gift
Let me clean my chakras so I can talk to you proper
Beware of false idols, poppin' off like they prophets
Profitin' from your pockets, that shit's not cute
That's just not you
The light inside is blinkin'
I know all these people thinkin' I'm about to show out
Clarity over clout
What's the point of being blessed if your head's a fucking mess?
Mama, cue the drama, kill the trauma
Say it like the Dali Lama
Be kind, be wise
Keep that mental temple simple
All truth no lies

 

Carry on and keep on givin' all
Go on, don't give up
Carry on and keep on to Xanadu
No chain, no lock, no leash
Carry on and keep on to Xanadu
Go on, don't give up
Carry on and I won't let you down
No chain, no lock, no leash

 

Deep sleep, the dreams I keep, dead of the night
Push me, I got to win, yo, I got to fight
For every little queer, every kid alone with fear
Every kid that's dressin' up and dressin' out, just being them
Seeing them on CNN, they spoutin' hate
This country blood was never really that fucking great
Black imprisonment, genocide, the Indian
Immigrant detention men, dope fiend these kids again
My life, young jet set and feminine
This is for my sisters, for my sisters, keep blessin' them
I look inside my soul, I ain't stressin', man
I know who I am, God bless them man

 

Give me your hand, I'll never let you go
Give me your hand, I'll never let you go

 

Carry on and keep on givin' all
Go on, don't give up
Carry on and keep on to Xanadu
No chain, no lock, no leash
Carry on and keep on to Xanadu
Go on, don't give up
Carry on and I won't let you down
No chain, no lock, no leash

No chain, no lock, no leash
Nobody gon' stop, step on my feet
Hands up, don't shoot, can't breathe
My people gon' rock, gon' win, gon' sing
No chain, no lock, no leash

 
Nobody gon' stop, step on my feet
Hands up, don't shoot, can't breathe
My people gon' rock, gon' win, gon' sing
No chain, no lock, no leash
Nobody gon' stop, step on my feet
Hands up, don't shoot, can't breathe
My people gon' rock, gon' win, gon' sing
No chain, no lock, no leash
Nobody gon' stop, step on my feet
Hands up, don't shoot, can't breathe
My people gon' rock, gon' win, gon' sing

 

Carry on and keep on givin' all
Go on, don't give up
Carry on and keep on to Xanadu
No chain, no lock, no leash
Carry on and keep on to Xanadu
Go on, don't give up
Carry on and I won't let you down
No chain, no lock, no leash

 

Carry on and keep on to Xanadu
Go on, don't give up
Carry on and I won't let you down
No chain, no lock, no leash
No chain, no lock, no leash
No chain, no lock, no leash
No chain, no lock, no leash
No chain, no lock, no leash

Liars & Hypocrites

Sometimes the news headlines suggest the playlist...

 

If it's not galling enough that these lying, entitled scumbags are in government, their value on the consultancy and after-dinner speaking circuit has no doubt increased on the back of their increasing infamy.

 

Just stop pretending that you are representing "the people" and not the selfish, grubby interests of yourselves and your cronies. I did not vote for you and you do not represent me.

1) Devil Is A Liar: Kode9 & The Spaceape (2014)

2) Liar With Wings: Andrew Weatherall (2009) 

3) Hypocrite: Matumbi (1978)

4) Two Thieves And A Liar: Gary Clail / On-U Sound System ft. Bim Sherman (1989)

5) Liar, Liar (Cover of The Castaways): Deborah Harry (1988)

6) Burn The Liars: The Earlies (2007)

7) Reeling The Liars In (Cover of Swans): Cold Specks (2012)

8) Liar: Kelsey Lu (2016)

9) Liars A To E (Single Version): Dexy's Midnight Runners (1981)

10) Hypocrite: Lush (1994)

11) Fakes & Liars: The Wolfgang Press (1992)

12) Liar: Sex Pistols (1977)

1977: Never Mind The Bollocks Here's The Sex Pistols: 12

1978: Seven Seals: 3

1981: Liars A To E EP: 9

1988: Married To The Mob OST: 5

1989: End Of The Century Party: 4

1992: Queer: 11

1994: Hypocrite EP: 10

2007: The Enemy Chorus: 6

2009: A Pox On The Pioneers: 2 

2012: Dancing Coins EP: 7

2014: Killing Season EP: 1

2016: Church: 8

Liars & Hypocrites (43:41)

It Smells Like Something Set Apart From Time

After yesterday's preemptive start to my favourites of 2021, here is a selection of my most played songs of 2021 so far. Anything released post-September will be at a disadvantage simply because they've been available for repeated listens for relatively less time. Even so, it was still hard to whittle down to an even dozen. 

 

Opening with Andy Bell, the preview/pre-release from the Another View remix album and arguably the standout track. Brian Dougans & Garry Cobain have delighted with another subscription-only 'Calendar' album this year, with an exclusive new or archive track each month; May's FSOL offering was a particular highlight. The Limiñanas collaborative album with Laurent Garnier was excellent and I especially love this penultimate track featuring Bertrand Belin. Hifi Sean's re-remix of Fire Island's 1998 cover of The Style Council's Shout To The Top is arguably the new definitive version of the song. 

 

Kelsey Lu has been an enduring favourite of the past couple of years and their collaboration with Boys Noize was accompanied by a stunning animated video. Jane Weaver released one of the best albums of the year with Flock, as did The Anchoress with The Art Of Losing. I first heard of Dan Wainwright this year via his Hope & Deliverance EP and Feel was a winner, as was Joe Muggs' mash-up of Lorde's Solar Power & Primal Scream's Loaded with the appropriately named Lorded. Long-time fave Ladyhawke made a mighty comeback with Guilty Love featuring Broods and yet another great video. 

 

The Orb had dropped off my radar for some years but Adam @ Bagging Area pulled them front and centre with a brilliant remix by Gaudi, as a taster for their excellent remix album. Rounding things off, my favourite song from probably my favourite album of the year by John Grant, who I managed to miss live on stage this year, making for a record four times. 2021 was a great year for music, but on this basis 2022 will surely be even better.

1) Indica (Pye Corner Audio Remix – GLOK Re-Edit): Andy Bell

2) Ride Or Die (Single Version): Boys Noize ft. Kelsey Lu & Chilly Gonzales

3) Fledgling Sun: The Future Sound Of London

4) Au Début C'était Le Début: The Limiñanas / Laurent Garnier ft. Bertrand Belin

5) Sunset Dreams: Jane Weaver

6) Shout To The Top (Hifi Sean Mix): Fire Island ft. Loleatta Holloway

7) Feel: Dan Wainwright

8) Lorded (Lorde v. Primal Scream): Joe Muggs

9) Show Your Face: The Anchoress

10) Guilty Love: Ladyhawke & Broods

11) Ital Orb (Gaudi Remix (Iron Chair) By Daniele Gaudi): The Orb

12) The Rusty Bull (Album Version): John Grant

It Smells Like Something Set Apart From Time (1:03:43)

Forget About My Tainted Heart

From Norway yesterday to Sweden today and the brilliant Lykke Li. It was her megahit Little Bit and debut album Youth Novels that first drew me, but she has gone from strength to strength since. Lykke Li's last album was in 2018, but earlier this year the 10th anniversary edition of 2nd album Wounded Rhymes was released and in October, a new song Bron emerged, hopefully presaging a new album in 2022.

For today's selection, I randomly settled on the setlist for Lykke Li's performance at Lollapalooza in 2014. I wasn't there, and it is heavy with songs from her then-current 3rd album, I Never Learn, but it's as good a selection as any. I've mixed it up a bit by dropping in remixes and acoustic versions of several tracks.

As a bonus, I've included a link to the full Lollapalooza performance on YouTube. A fan has taken a previously out of synch video and re-sequenced it, so every now and then it jumps a bit. Finally, I've included a 2017 performance of I Follow Rivers, featuring Kelsey Lu (a favourite on this blog) and Nancy Whang, perhaps best known for her work with The Juan Maclean and LCD Soundsystem.

 

1) I Never Learn (Album Version) (2014)

2) Sadness Is A Blessing (Gold Panda Remix) (2011)

3) Just Like A Dream (2014)

4) No Rest For The Wicked (2014)

5) Jerome (iTunes Session) (2010)

6) Dance, Dance, Dance (Buraka Som Sistema Remix) (2009)

7) Little Bit (CSS Remix) (2008)

8) Gunshot (Acoustic) (2014)

9) Never Gonna Love Again (2014)

10) I Follow Rivers (Dave Sitek Remix) (2011)

11) Youth Knows No Pain (Acoustic Version) (2011)

12) Get Some (Remix By Beck) (2010)

 

2008: Little Bit EP: 7

2009: Dance Dance Dance EP: 6

2010: Get Some EP: 12

2010: iTunes Session: 5

2011: I Follow Rivers EP: 10 

2011: Sadness Is A Blessing EP: 2

2011: The Lost Sessions Vol 1. EP: 11

2014: I Never Learn: 1, 3, 4, 9

2014: Gunshot EP: 8

Forget About My Tainted Heart (48:13)

 

Live @ Lollapalooza (Grant Park, Chicago, 01 August 2014): Lykke Li

I Follow Rivers (Live @ The Standard, High Line, New York, 15 March 2017): Lykke Li ft. Kelsey Lu & Nancy Whang

Like A Kiss On The Run

One of the few positive things to come from lockdown was discovering more 'new' artists and music. I was about five years behind the curve, but Kelsey Lu is one of the most exciting and challenging artists I've heard in a long time. 

They first appeared in my 2020 round up last December with their ambient soundscape Hydroharmonia (Part 1) and again in May, with their excellent collaboration with Boys Noize, Ride Or Die. I've been listening to the latter regularly since and the single version featured in my Raindrops Keep Falling mix earlier this month. Today's selection doesn't even begin to do justice to the vast range and spectrum of Kelsey Lu's talent and creativity, but it will fit snugly onto a side of an old school cassette tape, if you're so inclined.

 

I'd recommend either/both of their albums, Church (2016) and Blood (2019). It's also well worth your time looking up their videos and live shows on You Tube, for some stunning visuals, costumes and spellbinding performances.

1) Empathy (2016)

2) Hydroharmonia (Episode 2) / Poor Fake (Omar-S Remix By Alex Smith) (2020)

3) Foreign Car (NAR x ADR Exhaust Diffusion Mix) (2019)

4) let all the poisons that lurk in the mud seep out (Live for Stephen Colbert's #PLAYATHOME, 02/06/21): Kelsey Lu ft. Kelly Moran (2021)

5) Shades Of Blue (Video Version) (2018)

6) Hydroharmonia (Episode 1) (6:20 Edit) (2020)

7) Blood (A COLORS Show, 18 April 2019)

8) Due West (Album Version By Kelsey Lu & Skrillex) (2019)

9) Ride Or Die (Extended Mix): Boys Noize ft. Kelsey Lu & Chilly Gonzales (2021)

 

Like A Kiss On The Run (45:48)

Raindrops Keep Falling

Thirteen songs to sail through a soggy Sunday. Select cuts from some of my favourite EPs, albums and remixes from the last couple of years, several purchased on Bandcamp Friday, which will be continuing for the rest of this year. It won't be a great surprise to see Dan Wainwright, Andy Bell/GLOK or Pye Corner Audio here, but there have been a few unexpected 'comebacks' from Ultramarine and D:Ream, which I've really enjoyed.

 

1) I Love You: Dan Wainwright (2021) 

2) Ride Or Die (Single Version): Boys Noize ft. Kelsey Lu & Chilly Gonzales (2021)

3) Parallel 6: Four Tet (2020)

4) Meet Me At Midnight (Dan Wainwright Remix): D:Ream (2021)

5) In My Sleep (DJ Nature Remix By Milo Johnson): Margee (2021)

6) Lagrimas De San Lorenzo (Coyote Remix): Chris Coco & George Solar (2021)

7) That Time Of Night (Single Version): GLOK ft. Shiarra (2021)

8) Memory Of Rave: Pye Corner Audio (2020)

9) Fledgling Sun: The Future Sound Of London (2021)

10) Rickie's Alibi: Andres Y Xavi (2021)

11) The Commune (Pye Corner Audio Remix): Andy Bell (2021)

12) Spark From Flint To Clay: Ultramarine ft. Anna Domino (2019)

13) The County (Revisited By Dylan Henner): Valgeir Sigurðsson (2020)

 

Raindrops Keep Falling (1:16:19)
 

Where Have You Been? You're My Violin

Martina Topley-Bird is back, with a new album Forever I Wait released in September and co-produced with Robert Del Naja aka 3D from Massive Attack. Lots of media interest, including NME, reporting that this is Martina's first album in over a decade. That particular album, Some Place Simple, mainly featured reworkings of songs from her first two albums, so it's actually her first album of new material since 2007's The Blue God.

Like most, I first heard Martina on Tricky's groundbreaking single Aftermath but I am also a huge fan of her solo material. Her first album Quixotic was a patchwork of styles and producers, the sound of an artist finding their identity. The Blue God, produced by Danger Mouse, is a cohesive and outstanding album that I keep coming back to. Some Place Simple, released on Damon Albarn's Honest Jon's Records in 2010, stripped back the songs to great effect.

The lead single from Forever I Wait is Pure Heart, with a rumbling, sinister bassline and guitar chords typical of latter day Massive Attack, but of course it's Martina's voice that carries the song. 

2021 is shaping up to be an great year, with excellent albums from Jane Weaver, The Anchoress (Catherine Anne Davies) and more to come from Dot Allison, Kelsey Lu (hopefully) and Martina Topley-Bird. 

Pure Heart: Martina Topley-Bird (You Tube) (4:12)

 

Let Me Make A Sound Into The Wild

Ride Or Die: Boys Noize & Kelsey Lu ft. Chilly Gonzales

I belatedly discovered the music and performances of Kelsey Lu during the first lockdown in 2020, and I’ve been completely captivated ever since. I love that you never quite know what you’re going to get next, from classical to R&B to ambient soundscapes to techno, sometimes within the same piece of music. Their story is also a fascinating background that explains in part the rich diversity and unique character of their songs. There is a great interview with Kelsey Lu in The Guardian from Sep 2020.

Following the release of Let All The Poisons That Lurk In The Mud Seep Out, their collaboration with Yves Tumor on Christmas Day 2020, Kelsey has collaborated with Boys Noize & Chilly Gonzales on Ride Or Die. The Boys Noize You Tube page states that the song “reflects upon the tumultuous emotional tenor of our uncertain future before exploding into delirious, peak-time techno”. As if this isn’t enough to draw you in, the video is rather spectacular too.

I featured Kelsey Lu’s 20-minute immersive ‘nature soundscape’ Hydroharmonia (Episode 1) in my best of 2020 post a while ago, but I would strongly recommend checking out any and all of their back catalogue. With more new music - and hopefully performances - imminent in 2021, now’s the time to ride or die.
 
Buy Ride Or Die on Juno Download 

 

Outside
Inside
That side you'll know
That side you know
Outside you'll know
That side you know
Outside you know
Outside you'll know
That side you know
Outside you

Knew it from the start
Didn't I? Didn't I? Didn't I?
Like a kiss on the run
Salty cheeks from the sun
Be my ride or die
Like a kiss on the run
Salty cheeks from the sun
Be my ride or die

In the desert sky
A message right before my eye
In the desert sky
Flashed before my eyes, beforе my eyes, beforе my eyes
Yah, your cheeky bones said to the sky
Let me make a sound into the wild

Be my ride or die
Be my ride or die
Be my ride or die

Like a kiss on the run
Like a kiss on the run
Like a kiss on the run
Like a kiss on the run
Like a kiss on the run
Like a kiss on the run

Be my ride or die
Be my ride or die
Be my ride or die
Be my ride or die
Be my ride or die
Be my ride or die
Be my ride or die

Like a kiss on the run
Like a kiss on the run
I saw the signs
I saw the signs
Are you still lovin' on the sidelines
Got used to livin' on the sidelines
No use still living undecided
Be my ride or die

Outside you know
Outside you'll know
That side you know
Outside you know
That side you know
Outside you

 

30 From 20

A selection of music that made 2020 that little bit brighter...

Scars III: The Affectionate Punch ft. The Vinyl Villain & The Additions

March Violets: Andrew Weatherall

Whole New Mess: Angel Olsen 

Maker (Acoustic Version): Anjimile 

Mariana Trench: Bright Eyes 

The Patron Saint Of The Lost Cause: Catherine Anne Davies & Bernard Butler 

Party 4 U: Charli XCX

Conquer Virus: David Harrow

Music Shall Live: Denise Sherwood ft. Lee 'Scratch' Perry

Boogie Removal Machine (The Cult vs. Earth, Wind & Fire vs. Madonna): Go Home Productions

Wishing Well: Green Gartside

The Crack: Goat Girl

That Ain't No Way To Make A Million: Julian Cope 

Remembering: Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith

Crystallise: Keleketla! ft. Yugen Blakrok & Tamar Osborn

Corner Of My Sky: Kelly Lee Owens ft. John Cale & Michael Sheen

Hydroharmonia (Episode 1): Kelsey Lu 

Song For Our Daughter (Tiny Desk (Home) Concert): Laura Marling 

Bittersweet (Tiny Desk (Home) Concert): Lianne La Havas

Flux: Luke Abbott 

Witness: Lyra Pramuk

Trust Fades: Nine Inch Nails

90% Of Me Is You: Prince Fatty ft. Shniece McMenamin & Monkey Jhayam

Don't Believe: The Psychedelic Furs 

Sudden Awareness Of Now: Rival Consoles

Murphy's Law (Acoustic) (Live @ Home): Róisín Murphy

Yankee And The Brave (Ep.4): Run The Jewels 

The Knife (Barry Adamson Mix): Saint Severin

All That (Live In Isolation): Sparks

99 Problems / Porcelina Of The Vast Oceans (Jay-Z vs. The Smashing Pumpkins): Spose

Voodoo Girl: Vanessa Contenay-Quiñones  

 

And here's a hour long slipshod mix featuring 20 of 'em:

20 From 20 (DJ Mix) (1:02:11)