Updates from Zola Jesus, Joan Shelley and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. And the answer to the question of why it’s sometimes nice to be left sitting.
Joan Shelleys country-tinged folk-pop has something of a tonic for the American soul in all of us. So that she is not torn between wanderlust and homeland, prairie horizon and fireplace warmth, joie de vivre and sadness about transience. “The Spur” unfolds its intimate songs as colorful sound panoramas, framed by strings and brass ensemble. One can find this a bit too pleasing and suspect of kitsch; Presumably more sparkling lyrics than “Home, I see home / pushing through the trees – home” have already been written. And yet it awakens the longing to drive through the endless expanses of the West – and maybe one day to come home after all.
Of course it can also be dark at home. Deep humming, violent gasping for air and then: gloomy pop music and dark euphoria. This is how Arkhon begins. Nika Roza Danilova has been publishing her works under the name since 2009 Zola Jesus. Her new album winds through the darkness to the light. It accomplishes the feat of being catchy, even somehow suitable for radio. If the devil owns a radio. Known as a musical loner, Danilova has, for the first time in her career, collaborated with other musicians from early on in the album’s production – with producer Randall Dunn, who is credited for his work with Sunn O))) is known. Also featured was drummer Matt Chamberlain, who has appeared on albums by Fiona Apple, Bob Dylan and David Bowie. The influence of the two changes Zola Jesus’ music without alienating it. Above all, the minimalist, haunting “Desire” stands out. A piano composition that, despite the apparent simplicity of its structure, deals with the complexity of loss and desire. Sometimes it’s nice to be left alone. Who’s about to cry?
And what could be nicer than visiting old acquaintances you’ve known for ages? The Brian Jonestown Massacre are now probably twice as old as their average fan – which speaks for the band. Their hit “Anemone” is still being played over and over again. Now they are back with their fifth studio album, recorded in Berlin. It’s called “Fire Doesn’t Grow On Trees”. In 2020, the band already released 38 songs online. But can you ever have too many BJM songs? “Fire Doesn’t Grow On Trees” is exhilaratingly psychedelic and expands the band’s oeuvre with a few pearls like “Ineffable Mindfuck” and “You Think I’m Joking?”. No, of course we didn’t think so. After all, music is serious business. See you next year BJM!