‘a lovely lilting lullaby’ (Q from July’s Q50)
Following the recent release of debut album The Last Laugh through Double Six Records in the UK (and Conor Oberst’s Team Love in the US), Joker’s Daughter is set to release Lucid as the stunning second single.
Joker’s Daughter is the collaboration of vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Helena Costas with respected artist and producer, Danger Mouse. In 2003, Helena began sending her home recordings to Danger Mouse, a correspondence that continued as his career grew. The two artists discovered a natural affinity, and launched a collaboration, which they named after one of Helena’s many shifting personae. Together, they make music both timeless and fresh, from a strange, uncharted world.
Lucid is a mesmerizing modern day folk song, featuring Helena’s sweet, almost childlike ethereal vocals, seeped in Danger Mouse’s lush orchestration and electronics. The infectious and haunting track also features Helena on the bouzouki, a traditional instrument played by the muses in ancient Greek myth.
The track will have a lovely accompanying video directed by Hayley Morris (who recently won Best Animated Short at the Sundance Film Festival). Links to follow.
Lucid, along with two new B-sides, will be available via digital download (DS019D) from 7th September 2009.
Tracklisting is as follows:
1. Lucid
2. Sofia
3. My Left Ear
‘unexpected treasure of a collaboration’ – Independent on Sunday – CD of the Week
‘truly beguiling’ – Mojo – 4*
‘combining her haunting, fair-maiden vocals with his subtly florid production’ – Q – 4*
Attractively marries Costas’ tales of jousting knights and bumble bees with catchy arrangements and restrained electronica’ – Financial Times – 4*
‘a sparkling debut for her and one of his most interesting collaborations’ – Pitchfork – 7.3