Back in June, we were dazzled by ‘One Half’, the first single lifted from Julianna Barwick‘s forthcoming third album Nepenthe. ‘One Half’ is now being offered with a befittingly stunning video directed by filmmaker Zia Anger. Here’s what Zia said about it:
“Julianna’s music, to me, evokes such a supernatural mind state – an existence that is without a principal body of laws. Because of this I wanted to make something that was lawless, that indulged the subconscious and also remained unexplainable. I’m fully aware of how tripped out this sounds but what is a music video if not at it’s core something without rules.”
Watch the video below and watch out for the release of Nepenthe on August 19th in Europe and a day later in North America via Dead Oceans.
Julianna Barwick has unveiled ‘One Half’, the first single from her upcoming third album Nepenthe. Slated for a August 20th release via Dead Oceans, and as we previously mentioned, the album was recorded in Iceland and produced by Alex Somers (Sigur Rós, Jónsi, Jónsi & Alex), who first invited Julianna to collaborate.
‘One Half’ will dazzle you, listen now.
Julianna Barwick has recently signed to Dead Oceans who are releasing her third full-length album entitled Nepenthe. The album was recorded in Reykjavík, Iceland, following an invitation from Alex Somers (Sigur Rós, Jónsi, Jónsi & Alex) who produced and engineered the effort. Nepenthe also features contributions from other Icelandic musicians, including string ensemble Amiina, múm’s guitarist Róbert Sturla Reynisson and a choir of teenage girls.
In ancient Greek literature, and as the press release describes, “nepenthe was a magic drug of forgetfulness used to wipe out grief and sorrow.” It adds that “the title suggested itself to Julianna, who experienced a death in her own family in the middle of making the record, but it also refers to the music consoling her during the isolation she was going through – on her own, in a foreign country with a terrible internet connection – during the sessions.”
Other than Julianna’s personal emotional influence, the Icelandic surroundings and “its vibrant music scene and stunningly alien landscapes with their lingering magic” had the biggest influence on Nepenthe. She explains:
“I had never had anyone play on any record before, so this was a 180 turn. I also was inspired just by being there, and the gorgeousness of that place. Your eyes can’t believe what they’re seeing. I walked home one night and got totally lost in Reykjavík. I ended up walking alongside the ocean – and it was glowing blue. It looked like it had a lamp underneath it. This is a completely different experience than recording myself in my Brooklyn bedroom.”
Julianna has just unveiled an album teaser in the form of a video directed by Derrick Belcham, and featuring the magnificent track ‘Forever’. Be sure to watch it below and watch out for the album release on August 20th.
Here’s the perfect soundtrack to a beautiful snowy day. Julianna Barwick is back to enchant us with a new ethereal piano based single called ‘Pacing’, and its own Pacing 7″ EP. In Barwick’s own words, the new song is “a bit of a diversion from the vocal loop-based songs I tend to make”.
The EP is slated for a March 5th release via Suicide Squeeze. It comes backed with B-side ‘Call’ and is limited to 750 copies, so hurry to order yours here.
