Flock of Islands :: Jenn Wasner double dose

Jenn Wasner has been keeping seriously busy of late touring with Wye Oak, singing in the Dirty Projectors' band, and releasing a killer 7" from her solo side-project, Flock of Dimes. The single, released earlier this year on Baltimore's Friends Records, features the choppy future-pop original "Prison Bride" and a brilliant cover of the Eagles " I Can't Tell You Why," where Wasner's vocals are slowed down into a deep soulful man croon. Flock of Dimes has now jumped onto indie giant Merge Records for the project's second 7", "Curtain" by way of "Apparition," the A-side of which you can peep below. You can also catch Wasner—who sang on last year's slow-burning Future Islands' duet, "The Great Fire"—again alongside frontman Samuel T. Herring on the new impassioned Future Islands soul number, "Tomorrow." Herring's throaty primal burst at 1:44? Oh my. (via Bmore Music)

Nab the Flock of Dimes 7" from Merge and the Future Islands 7" from Upset The Rhythm.

Flock of Dimes - "Curtain"


Future Islands - "Tomorrow"

Flock of Dimes - "I Can't Tell You Why"

You hate the fucking Eagles. I hate the fucking Eagles. But Jenn Wasner of Wye Oak—here under her solo nom de plume, Flock of Dimes—reaches deep down into her man tone range for a beautifully sparse, androgynous take of "I Can't Tell You Why" that leaves behind The Eagles' 1979-set smooth combed hair vibe for something a little shadier, a little more secret—call it darkened alley love making music. According to Bmore Music, Wassner is currently in the midst of wrapping up her debut solo LP. While we wait for that beauty, you can stroll through the rest of Flock of Dimes' Soundcloud.

Sharon Van Etten - "Serpents"

Just when you think the whole singer-songwriter schtick has finally teetered out, a talent like Sharon Van Etten comes along. In the internet's computer-, synth-, and remix-centered climate, it's impressive how much steam Van Etten has been able to generate with just her guitar and achey heartbroken voice. On paper, her personal and emotive brand of musical storytelling represents nothing new, but then you hear that one-of-a-kind voice and instantly everything else melts into irrelevance. For Van Etten's forthcoming third LP Tramp, she received support from the likes of The National's Dessner brothers, Zach Condon of Beirut, and Julianna Barwick. However, this music nerd is particularly excited to hear the added juice of The Walkmen's unequaled drummer Matt Barrick and a few husky-voiced harmonies with Jenn Wasner of Wye Oak, both of which you can preview below in the promising first taste of the LP, "Serpents." Also make sure to check out a few of SVE's older collaborations, including a great Magnetic Fields cover with The Antlers.

Sharon Van Etten - "Serpents" (from Tramp)
The Antlers - "Nothing Matter When We're Dancing (Feat. Sharon Van Etten)" (from New York Hospitals)
Air Waves - "Waters (Feat. Sharon Van Etten)" (from Dungeon Dots)

Future Islands feat. Jenn Wasner - "The Great Fire"

Future Islands newest LP On The Water is brimful of great singles—see "Before The Bridge" and "Balance"—and moving moments—see synth-master Gerrit Welmers' cinematic 80s-tinged intro to "Where I Found You"—but no track hits me quite as hard as "The Great Fire." Perhaps it's because frontman Samuel T. Herring's melodramatic and manic vocal work finds a formidable costar in Wye Oak's Jenn Wasner. Not only does Wasner go blow for vocal blow with Herring in this emotive relationship-centered slow-burner, but taking the lead in the latter half of the duet, she momentarily takes control of the track, making the listener forget that this isn't in fact her own band. Though Future Islands knock every one of On The Water's ten tracks out of the park, "The Great Fire" leaves me wanting more from this truly devastating vocal pairing.

Future Islands feat. Jenn Wasner - "The Great Fire" (from On The Water)