“She’s back in a new role like you’ve never seen her before.”
Yes folks, rock/pop goddess St. Vincent is back, after spending some time in the 1970s to give us Daddy’s Home (out May 14). She first set our hearts aflutter last month, when posters teasing her upcoming sixth studio album appeared with the message, “warm Wurlitzers and wit, glistening guitars and grit, with sleaze and style for days. Taking you from uptown to downtown with the artist who makes you expect the unexpected.”
She then took to social media to invite the masses to dial 1 (833)-77-DADDY, where we heard a recording of St. Vincent saying “Hello?” twice before another voice chimes in announcing “she’s back in a new role like you’ve never seen her before” while a preview of new single “Pay Your Way in Pain” plays in the background. It was intriguing and slightly chilling to say the least.
Earlier this week, in an interview with Amazon Music, St. Vincent stayed true to her persona seen on the Daddy’s Home album cover and throughout the “Pay Your Way in Pain” music video. Donning a blonde bob-cut, she revealed that music comes to her in dreams and referred to new track “Pay Your Way in Pain” as “a blues for 2021” before noting that the album, a nod to her father’s release from prison in 2019, is a departure from anything she’s done before.
You can actually listen to music St. Vincent was inspired by via her “‘Daddy’s Home’ Inspiration” playlist on Spotify, containing over a dozen songs from the decade of funk, soul, and disco. Artists include Steely Dan, James Brown, David Bowie and Stevie Wonder. It is here you can also satisfy your curiosity of Wurlitzers (electric piano) with help from Pink Floyd’s “Have a Cigar” (1975), which features the instrument.
The new song is grungy, funky, and layered with retro vibes amidst sounds of piano and electric guitar. It builds up until St. Vincent cries out “I wanna be loved.”
For the select few of you who want the full ’70s music experience, which was a time before digital music streaming services, portable media players, and CD players, you can pre-purchase the album on 8-track format and cassette tape. Like disco, both music formats are said to be making a comeback.