Composed, arranged, performed, programmed, and produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Have an internal locus of control, but always remember that things are inevitable

Sometimes it takes a personal tragedy to catalyse an artist’s practise, a crack in everything, to paraphrase Leonard Cohen, that let’s the creative light in. Just such a traumatic fissure occurred in Charlotte Gainsbourg’s life in late 2013 with the sudden death in Paris of her half-sister, the fashion photographer Kate Barry. Reeling from the news and inevitably plunged into an extended period of grieving, the distressing event had transpired just as Charlotte was initiating activity on a new album, the successor to 2010’s IRM. Rather than put a total brake on creative proceedings, however, the anguish would slowly but inexorably find expression in the pages of Charlotte’s journal and thus, eventually, in the lyrics of the songs that she would write for Rest, her long-gestating but ultimately cathartic third studio album.

Growing up in Windsor, Ontario, for rock'n'soul trio The Walkervilles, the influence of the musical mecca just across the water proved to be irresistible. Pat Robitaille, Michael Hargreaves and Stefan Cvetkovic channeled the Motor City's musical ethos to create an easy-listening, soul-soothing sound that is "heavily influenced by Motown and Detroit rock and roll...the influence runs deep". Catching people's attention with their 2013 release, 'Meet The Walkervilles: Live At Mackenzie Hall', the band went on to tour Canada with Tedeschi Trucks Band, Bettye LaVette, and as headliners. Led by the Robitaille's sensitive, soulful tones, the band's eclectically inspired brand of pop-inflected r'n'b, rock and soul is perfectly on display with their newly released 'Soul Brothers' EP. Traveling to Austin, Texas to work with Gordie Johnson at Willie Nelson's studio, the band have crafted a warmly engaging batch of songs that embrace their distinctive take on Motown's ear-catching melodies and the uplifting, feel good authenticity of soul music's emotional expression.
Smooth groovin' songs that will just as easily engage the listener's emotions as it will urge them to hit the dance floor, The Walkervilles are a superb reminder that in a time of much musical ephemera, the heart-warming appeal of lovingly crafted, soul-inspired music is ever enduring.

by twitter: @solitarym

James Naughtie and readers talk to acclaimed authors about their best known novels. Authors include: Douglas Adams, Alan Bennett, Alice Sebold and Maya Angelou.

☆ PRINCESS OF POWER (DELUXE) ☆ OUT NOW
https://marina.lnk.to/POPDeluxe

MARINA returns transformed on PRINCESS OF POWER — a euphoric, high-energy exploration of healing, empowerment, and self-reclamation. Written during a period of deep personal reflection, the album marks a turning point for the platinum-selling artist. Where 2021’s Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land looked outward at a fractured world, PRINCESS OF POWER turns inward, embracing vulnerability as strength, turning pain into power and the radical optimism of love.

Now releasing independently through her own label, Queenie Records, in partnership with BMG, MARINA sheds old expectations and fully steps into her own. The album pulses with disco-lit electro pop and lyrical declarations of freedom, feminine energy, and love. Tracks like “BUTTERFLY,” “CUPID’S GIRL,” and “CUNTISSIMO” reflect a woman reborn and thriving on her own terms.


MARINA burst on to the scene in 2009, and has since released five acclaimed albums including Electra Heart (2012), which debuted at Number 1 on the UK’s Official Charts, FROOT (2015), Love + Fear (2019), which debuted Top 5 in the UK and Top 10 on the U.S. Albums chart, and most recently Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land (2021), which featured the Ivor Novello nominated hit “Man's World.”

With PRINCESS OF POWER, MARINA isn’t just making music - she’s building a future rooted in authenticity, creativity, and courage. It’s MARINA as you’ve never seen her, yet never more herself. The deluxe version of the album is out now and features four new songs, including “EVERYBODY KNOWS I’M SAD - REMIX” with Absolutely.

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