Swedish electronic artist Fever Ray released Radical Romantics, their first new album in more than five years, in March via Mute Records.
Fever Ray is coming to the USA to headline The Anthem in DC on Monday, May 1, in a bill with hyperpop duo 100 gecs.
Karin Dreijer AKA Fever Ray unveiled an arresting music video for album highlight, “Even It Out.” A tribute to the campy universe of John Waters, the “Even It Out” video draws influence from Susan Sontag and Divine’s portrayal of Dawn Davenport in Waters’ cult classic movie Female Trouble. Keen eyes will spot cameos from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, who co-produced and performed on “Even It Out,” as well as the song, “North.”
As described by the Wall Street Journal, “‘Even It Out’ has squelchy synths and the gentle sway of a new-wave ballad by Gary Numan while Karin sings with a pronounced sneer. The contemptuous phrasing suits the lyrical content, which is, strangely enough, a warning to a child who tormented the singer’s [kid]. ‘This is for Zacharias / Who bullied my kid in high school / There’s no room for you / And we know where you live.’ …it’s an odd subject for a pop song by a 47-year-old, but the result is thrilling.”
Watch the official music video for “Even It Out” by Fever Ray on YouTube:
In the world of Radical Romantics, which follows 2017’s acclaimed Plunge, Dreijer presents their struggle with the myth of love. As Pitchfork commented, “If Plunge beckoned you into the sex party, Radical Romantics traces the bewildered morning after. Its love songs, both jagged and glistening, deal less in the thrill of finding love and more in the work it takes to survive it.”
Fever Ray first started on Radical Romantics in Fall 2019, working in the Stockholm studios built with brother and fellow The Knife member Olof Dreijer who eventually joined in on working on the album. Other co-producers and performers include the experimental artist and producer Vessel, Portuguese DJ and producer Nídia, Aasthma, and more. Long-time collaborator, Martin Falck, joins Dreijer in creating the all-encompassing visual world of Radical Romantics-era Fever Ray.
Fever Ray
100 gecs
W/ Machine Girl
The Anthem
Monday, May 1
Doors @ 6:30pm
$45 GA/ $75 Seats
All ages