In the latest musical venture that merges the talents of seasoned and emerging artists, Church Chords, spearheaded by the adept musician and producer Stephen Buono, unveils “Then Awake,” the capstone single before the release of their eagerly awaited debut album, elvis, he was Schlager. Set to drop this Friday, February 23, under the banner of Otherly Love Records, this project is a testament to the power of collaborative spirit and genre-blending artistry.
“Then Awake” received its premiere through New Sounds, earning accolades for its innovative “cross-country, cross-genre” essence. The track is a sonic marvel, intertwining the ethereal vocals of Japanese electropop sensation Takako Minekawa with a pulsating, yet enigmatic beat and sporadic bursts of electronic soundscapes, crafting a sound that’s as mesmerizing as it is unique. Alongside Minekawa, the track features the vocal talents of Brazil’s Ricardo Dias Gomes, known for his work with Gaetano Veloso and Arto Lindsay. The ensemble cast includes Buono, Benjamin Lazar Davis of Okkervil River, Jim Baker, Dave Gardner, Eric Slick from Dr. Dog, and Mark Shippy of US Maple, creating a rich tapestry of musical genius.
Leading up to this release, Church Chords teased the album with singles like “Sweet Magnet,” “Recent Mineral,” “She Lays On A Leaf,” “Owned By Lust,” and “Alone Under the Water.” Each track showcased a different constellation of artists, including guitar virtuosos Jeff Parker of Tortoise and Nels Cline of Wilco, as well as rising stars such as Finom, Genevieve Artadi, and zzzahara. This eclectic mix has already captured the attention of premier music outlets like Bandcamp Weekly, Jazziz, Treble, The FADER, and more, signaling a project ripe with innovation and appeal.
Church Chords stands as a beacon of communal creativity and musical diversity, drawing from a vast spectrum of influences including jazz, rock, hip-hop, punk, and experimental music. The project’s ambition, to assemble a myriad of contributing talents for elvis, he was Schlager, may seem like a complex jigsaw at first glance, potentially overwhelming with its extensive lineup. Yet, under Buono’s deft orchestration, the album emerges as a harmonious and unified work. It’s an audacious and immersive journey through music’s boundless landscape, a testament to the transformative and unifying power of sound. As the album meanders through various moods and styles, it invites listeners to surrender to its narrative flow, showcasing an extraordinary exploration of rhythm and melody that promises to enchant and engage from start to finish.