New Mix: An Emotional Rollercoaster With Grimes, Money And More
Clockwise from upper left: Grimes, Hailu Mergia, Money, Many Rooms Courtesy of the artists hide caption
This week's All Songs Considered is an emotional roller coaster. Hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton start off mellow with the sweet, acoustic Many Rooms, only to pull the rug out from under it with a monstrously good tune from Grimes. Then we've got intricate Ethiopian accordion rhythms from Hailu Mergia, a piece full of anguish and beauty from the Manchester band Money and a thick, shoe-gazey song from Shmu to close out the whirlwind of frenzied feelings.
Songs Featured On This Episode
Hollow Body
- from Hollow Body
- by Many Rooms
"Hollow Body" is the first single off the debut EP from the singer-songwriter known as Many Rooms. It's expected out in December. Brianna Hunt, the woman behind the resonant acoustic guitar, has a sweet, airy voice that she paints across the sound of her fingers on the strings.
Kill v. Maim
- from Art Angels
- by Grimes
Grimes has come a long way in the nearly four years since her last record, Visions. "Kill v. Maim" from her new album, Art Angels, showcases a more developed sound with elements of noise rock, a Toni Basil-style chant and a ridiculously catchy chorus.
Shemonmuanaye
- from Hailu Mergia & His Classical Instrument: Shemonmuanaye
- by Hailu Mergia
Before Hailu Mergia settled in Washington, D.C. in the early 1980s and made a career as a cab driver, he was a popular musician at home in Ethiopia. Though they've lived in the same city for decades, he came to Bob's attention when he opened a recent show by Beirut at the Lincoln Theatre in D.C. "Shemonmuanaye" shows off Mergia's dexterity on the accordion, expertly winding up and down the scale, somehow always finding the groove.
You Look Like a Sad Painting on Both Sides of the Sky
- from Suicide Songs
- by Money
"You Look Like a Sad Painting on Both Sides of the Sky" from Money's forthcoming 2016 album, Suicide Songs, starts out feeling big and empty, an echo of loneliness. As it progresses, deep bass drum booms join the guitar, followed by piano, then cymbals, then a string section. By the end, the song has filled its own void with a lush beauty.
Pictionary
- from Shh!!!!
- by Shmu
Shmu is the project of Zorch drummer Sam Chown. His percussive prowess shines through in the rapid-fire drum fills on the driving, shoegaze song "Pictionary," from his recently-released album, Shhh!!!!