For her debut self-titled album, Dita Von Teese has enlisted the sublime talents of Sébastien Tellier, who wrote and composed the entire record. Tellier says that the super-dreamy “Porcelaine” is about Von Teese’s skin: “too perfect to be real.” The track is synth-infused and sweet, with the two exchanging verses in French. Sounding a little like a throwback tune from the ’80s, it’s a pretty …
Composer, producer and musician Shao Jean has teamed up with singer, songwriter and instrumentalist Leyeux (aka Jack Snyder) for a sublime song called “Awaken.” The gentle tune ambles along with handclaps, layered vocals and a cadence that seems to switch up constantly but without jarring. It’s a textured, rich piece of indie-folk.
From the soundtrack for “The Land” (out 29 July) comes a hauntingly minimal and stunning song by Nas and Erykah Badu. The track, called “This Bitter Land” is gentle but painful—Badu’s vocals are incredibly emotive—and yet there is, among the struggle, a sense of hope. It’s very different than anything either Nas or Badu has released recently, but they’re immediately recognizable and it shows them …
