ANOHNI has announced that her new album, HOPELESSNESS, will be out May 6th. The record is described as “a dance record with soulful vocals and lyrics addressing subjects including surveillance, drone warfare and ecocide.”
If the first single is any indication, this assessment is spot-on. Released in December 2015, the song “4 Degrees” is an immensely powerful tune that coincides with the climate conference in Paris. When asked about the song, ANOHNI gives a specific and thorough response. “I have grown tired of grieving for humanity, and I also thought I was not being entirely honest by pretending that I am not a part of the problem,” she said. “‘4 Degrees’ is kind of a brutal attempt to hold myself accountable, not just valorize my intentions but also reflect on the true impact of my behaviors.”
This theme continues with the album’s second single, “Drone Bomb Me.” According to ANOHNI, it is a love song written from the perspective of “a young girl in Afghanistan whose family has been executed by unmanned U.S. drones” and longs to be annihilated. The new video features a breathtaking performance from Naomi Campbell and can be seen below.
ANOHNI is known for her outspoken ways. After being nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars for the song “Manta Ray” from the eco-activist documentary Racing Extinction, she announced that she would not be attending upon learning that the song will not be performed on the telecast- of which is an annual tradition. As the only transgender performer to ever be nominated for an Academy Award, she took this to heart and released a powerful statement recalling her devastation about the incident.
HOPELESSNESS is currently available for pre-order on iTunes and Amazon. See track listing as well as tour dates below.
HOPELESSNESS Tracklisting:
01. Drone Bomb Me
02. 4 Degrees
03. Watch Me
04. Execution
05. I Don’t Love You Anymore
06. Obama
07. Violent Men
08. Why Did You Separate Me From The Earth?
09. Crisis
10. Hopelessness
11. Marrow
ANOHNI Live:
05/27: Sydney, AUS – Vivid LIVE
05/28: Sydney, AUS – Vivid LIVE
05/30: Sydney, AUS – Vivid LIVE
05/31: Sydney, AUS – Vivid LIVE
06/17: Barcelona, ES – SONAR
06/26: Holland, NL – Down the Rabbit Hole Festival, Holland
07/04: Paris, FR – Day Off Festival
07/07: London, UK – Barbican
07/08: London, UK – Barbican
07/12: Ostrava, CZ – Colors of Ostrava
07/15: Turin, IT – Flowers Festival
08/07: Katowice, PL – Off Festival
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