Joan Wasser, known under the stage name Joan As Police Woman, has released stirring new single, “To One In Paradise,” from the collaborative tribute album POE “To One in Paradise” (for Hal Willner), curated by producer Kramer. This collection features readings of Edgar Allan Poe’s timeless poems by an array of artists, accompanied by ambient music crafted to evoke a long-lost world. The project, dedicated to Kramer’s late friend and musical collaborator Hal Willner, is out now. For Wasser, this latest release is a stark contrast to her previous release of “Full Time Heist” off her latest album, Lemons, Limes & Orchids.
In her haunting rendition of Poe’s poem “To One In Paradise,” Joan As Police Woman brings the poem to life with an ethereal vocal performance that mirrors the melancholic beauty of the original text. Her voice is soft, as she carefully recites each word of the poem. Kramer and Wasser’s collaboration on the music results in a mesmerizing backdrop—created by both playing a single piano with four hands—that seamlessly intertwines with Poe’s words, producing a layered and immersive listening experience. The ambient piano sound flows with delicate precision, allowing Poe’s narrative of lost love and longing to unfurl with emotional resonance with Wasser’s voice.
The accompanying music video, directed by Kramer, further enhances the track’s otherworldly quality. As Joan’s voice echoes through the cinematic, ambient world created onscreen, the viewer is transported to a place of quiet contemplation, a space where art and history merge. The video’s simple, yet evocative visuals with images from the past evoke the transient nature of memory and love, themes deeply embedded in Poe’s work.
Watch and listen to Joan As Police Woman’s “To One in the Paradise” here:
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