Amanda Palmer + Rhiannon Giddens: It’s A Fire

With recording artist Amanda Palmer on lockdown in New Zealand and MacArthur “Genius” Grant-recipient Rhiannon Giddens quarantined in Ireland, the duo determined to collaborate remotely on “It’s A Fire,” an entrancing Portishead cover with a message that resonates through current circumstances the world over. Palmer tapped regular collaborator Jherek Bischoff to arrange the track from LA (where he hired local string players to record in …

Katia + Marielle Labèque: Paul is dying (by Philip Glass)

Legendary French sibling pianists Katia and Marielle Labèque breathe life into the stunning Philip Glass composition “Paul is dying (Part 1).” It’s the first synchronous taste of the duo’s highly anticipated album with Glass, Les enfants terribles (out 23 October). The release comes complete with a thoughtful video directed Ronan Day-Lewis, which extrapolates and embraces moments both human and element, and stars Lena Christakis and Rocco Rinaldi-Rose.

Bilal: DAY THREE – Voyage to a New World

Across a sprawling six minutes, Bilal’s “DAY THREE – Voyage to a New World” features a slew of talented artists including Erykah Badu, Nick Hakim, Madison McFerrin, Robert Glasper and others. Opening with birdsong and Badu’s poetry, the tune begins as a kind of meditation before taking various twists and turns. Distorted vocals and chaotic percussion lead to a lush, soulful flute-laden melody that soon …