Album review
Bonnie “Prince” Billy has released the second single from his upcoming album The Purple Bird. Following lead cut ‘Our Home’, the track is named after actor and musician London May, who also appears in the Sai Selvarajan-directed music video. Check it out below.
Will Oldham recorded the follow-up to last year’s Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You with producer David “Ferg” Ferguson. ‘London May’ was originally written for the 2022 horror movie Night of the Bastard, which May was involved in. “I made up a song for him that combined some of the things I felt we shared,” Oldham explained, continuing:
“When David Ferguson and I were putting songs together for The Purple Bird sessions, I remembered the song I’d made for London’s film; I was performing it regularly live, and it didn’t feel quite complete… Ferg was game, and we tracked it. I’d long begun to want to hear other voices in the song. In the end, we roped in the phenomenal Kentucky-born singer Brit Taylor to sing harmonies and other supporting parts. Her voice is stellar to say the least.”
Selvarajan added: “This song is so beautifully constructed in that it starts off moody and dark and gives way to optimism. I really wanted the visuals to depict that. I took a lot of things I love and threw them into the creative cauldron. From breakdancing to skateboarding to mid-century modern architecture to 35mm slide projectors.”
The Purple Bird arrives on January 31 via Domino.
