Kim Gordon just released a surprise single. I say surprise because since leaving Sonic Youth, Gordon has formed experimental music duo Body/Head, published a memoir, rocked out with Dinosaur Jr. and Nirvana, and shown some paintings. But this is the first music she’s released under her own name.
After crashing in Greenpoint for a bit, Gordon moved back to Los Angeles, where she grew up, and was inspired by the car culture there. Here’s her statement on what brought about the single, “Murdered Out.”
When I moved back to LA I noticed more and more cars painted with black matte spray, tinted windows, blackened logos, and black wheels. This was something I had occasionally seen in the past, part of low-rider car culture. A reclaiming of a corporate symbol of American success, The Car, from an outsider’s point of view. A statement-making rejection of the shiny brand new look, the idea of a new start, the promise of power, and the freedom on the open road. Like an option on a voting ballot, “none of the above.”
“Murdered Out,” as a look, is now creeping into mainstream culture as a design trend. A coffee brand. A clothing line. A nail polish color.
Black-on-black matte is the ultimate expression in digging out, getting rid of, purging the soul. Like a black hole, the supreme inward look, a culture collapsing in on itself, the outsider as an unwilling participant as the “It” look.
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I met the uber talented Justin Raisen, the producer, offhandedly. He was working on a project with another artist and kept sending me tracks to listen to with the possibility of getting me to sing on one of them. When I learned I could make up my own lyrics, I was in. With the remaining bits of unused vocals, he started what would be “Murdered Out.” Stella Mozgawa (Warpaint) plays drums, based on the trashy drums that Justin first laid down. I went back and did more vocals and guitar and we mixed it… “Murdered Out” was such a great surprise! Looking forward to our next collaboration.
Raisen has previously worked with Sky Ferreira, Charli XCX, and Santigold, so it’s no surprise “Murdered Out” is somewhat dancey. But rest assured, “Murdered Out” is more abrasive than his previous work. The combo of grinding bass and distorted, tinny guitar may remind you a little bit of Revolting Cocks, members of which are playing RevCo songs under the name The Cocks on Sept. 16. The vocals, of course, are pure Kim Gordon.
Have a listen above and buy or stream the single here.