Efterklang have dropped a new single, ‘Animated Heart’, lifted from their forthcoming record Things We Have In Common. Following previous cuts ‘Getting Reminders’ (featuring Beirut’s Zach Condon on trumpet) and ‘Plant’ (featuring Mabe Fratti on cello and vocals), the track features Sønderjysk Pigekor (South Denmark Girls’ Choir). Check out a video for it below.
“This piece originated in my little studio in Lisbon,” vocalist Casper Clausen said of ‘Animated Heart’ in a statement. “In the early stages of the process, I shared numerous sketches with the others, and this one stood out. As we began to develop it further, we often played it together with the girls’ choir, Sønderjysk Pigekor, from our hometown. Their addition brought a whole gospel vibe to the track, which I found incredibly appealing. I was struck by how their voices seemed to lift the composition into another realm, creating a sense of expansiveness that no instrument or single voice could achieve. I’m singing about being alone, clinging to the stone, kissing oneself to the bone, deep in the heart of the soul.”
The accompanying visual was directed by Søren Lynggaard and the band’s Rasmus Stolberg. Stolberg commented: “The video is an homage to the choir who are featured on ‘Animated Heart’ and have given us so many unforgettable musical memories. Inspired by the scenes of ticket lines in Jem Cohen’s Fugazi documentary, we met with the choir to film the video on May 29, 2024. We are honoured to have the choir featured in the song and video, and we are inspired by the hope they bring for the future.”
Things We Have In Common comes out September 27 via City Slang.