‘Sugarfree (2021)’ by Sugarplum Fairies | New Album, ‘Altar Songs 1998-2021’
Exclusive video premiere of ‘Sugarfree (2021)’ by LA-based Viennese dream pop project Sugarplum Fairies, taken from the upcoming album, ‘Altar Songs 1998-2021’, out December 3, 2021 via Starfish Records.
LA-based Viennese dream pop project Sugarplum Fairies have announced their new collection ‘Altar Songs 1998-2021’ and share the third single, ‘Sugarfree (2021)’, a dreamy re-imagination of their 90’s dream pop hit, featuring drums by late Mazzy Star drummer Keith Mitchell.
Frontwoman Silvia Ryder shares that: “‘Sugarfree’ is about that femme fatale that shows up at the end of your birthday party and not only steals the show but also your boyfriend.” On the track, Ryder’s breathy Nico-esque croon blends seamlessly into a dreamy backdrop of cinematic textures and orchestral arrangements, creating a lush tapestry of sounds. Moody and evocative, Sugarplum Fairies’ timeless re-imagination sounds like it could be lifted straight out of a Wes Anderson film or a Velvet Underground B-Side. The accompanying music video features footage from the archives of iconic Viennese visual artist Mercedes Helnwein for a perfect cinematic accompaniment.
The collection traces Sugarplum Fairies’ sonic journey from shoegaze infused folk-noir roots to jangly vintage guitar pop, and culminating in an explorative genre-defying mélange of non-traditional instrumentation (e.g. accordion, harmonium, omnichord, Baldwin Funmachine). These arrangements conjure surreal images that seem to be part dream diary, part coded messages and part cynical observations, with Ryder’s breathy, hypnotic vocals evoking comparisons to the late chanteuse Nico of The Velvet Underground.
‘Altar Songs 1998-2021’ features numerous collaborations with original Uncle Tupelo/Wilco drummer and producer Ken Coomer, late Mazzy Star drummer Keith Mitchell, Jebin Bruni (Public Image Ltd, Fiona Apple) on bass and keyboards, Joey Waronker (drummer for Beck and REM), Gus Seyffert (bassist for Beck, Norah Jones), cellist Martin Tillman (Elvis Costello, T Bone Burnett), and horn-section mastermind Danny T. Levin (Iggy Pop, Rilo Kiley) amongst many others.
The compilation includes a new track titled ‘Tears’ and three re-imagined/re-recorded versions of previously released tracks: ‘Heart Hell 2021 (feat. Sid Simons of Girl Skin and Beechwood)’, ‘Sandy Says 2021’, and ‘Sugarfree 2021’. The aforementioned tracks have been produced and mixed by Marlon Rabenreither of Gold Star; all songs have been (re)mastered by Timothy Stollenwerk for Stereophonic Mastering (Bonnie “Prince” Billy, The Dandy Warhols).
Headline photo: Dylan Luster
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