Can you remember the last time Róisín Murphy released an album? If not, then it isn't your fault, since the Irish singer hasn't released a full-length since 2007's Overpowered. That will change on May 11, when she issues Hairless Toys through Play It Again Sam.
Murphy has been talking about a new album for years, and she discussed her plans with BBC6 Music way back in 2008. The final product contains eight songs. The tracklist is below; scroll past that to listen to opening cut "Gone Fishing" [via Pitchfork], which is a sprawling six-minute electro-jazz daydream.
In a statement, Murphy explained that it was inspired by the film Paris Is Burning, the 1990 documentary about New York's LGBT community.
Murphy said:
This song was written after I watched the documentary film Paris Is Burning, having read an article which referenced it in a discussion about House music's origins in black, gay culture. I was deeply moved by this film. 'I had to run this far from home' — it's about the outcasts who could never fit into mainstream society and how they created a safe place in the drag 'Ball' scene of New York in the '80s. 'Will we live on? The children of La Beija' refers to the 'house' of Pepper La Beija, who was one of the most notable figures on the scene, Pepper is also quoted in Malcolm McLaren's song on the same subject 'Deep In Vogue'. The culture was a flamboyant reaction to persecution and disillusionment, the imagination and bravery of these kids is simply awe-inspiring. I envisioned 'Gone Fishing' almost as a song from a Broadway musical version of this story. The making of one's own world, a safer world and the creation of a new, better family in music or youth culture is a theme I touch upon elsewhere on my album Hairless Toys.
This album follows Murphy's Italian-language EP Mi Senti from 2014.
Hairless Toys:
1. Gone Fishing
2. Evil Eyes
3. Exploitation
4. Uninvited Guest
5. Exile
6. House of Glass
7. Hairless Toys (Gotta Hurt)
8. Unputdownable
Tour dates:
05/16 London, UK - Roundhouse
05/22 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso
05/23 Brussels, Belgium - Ancienne Belgique
05/24 Mannheim, Germany - Maifield Derby
05/30 Hamburg, Germany - Große Freiheit 36
05/31 Berlin, Germany - Berlin Festival
06-19 Barcelona, Spain - Sonar Festival
06-26 Werchter, Belgium - The Barn
09-05 Dublin, Ireland - Electric Picnic
09-13 Isle of Wight, UK - Bestival
Murphy has been talking about a new album for years, and she discussed her plans with BBC6 Music way back in 2008. The final product contains eight songs. The tracklist is below; scroll past that to listen to opening cut "Gone Fishing" [via Pitchfork], which is a sprawling six-minute electro-jazz daydream.
In a statement, Murphy explained that it was inspired by the film Paris Is Burning, the 1990 documentary about New York's LGBT community.
Murphy said:
This song was written after I watched the documentary film Paris Is Burning, having read an article which referenced it in a discussion about House music's origins in black, gay culture. I was deeply moved by this film. 'I had to run this far from home' — it's about the outcasts who could never fit into mainstream society and how they created a safe place in the drag 'Ball' scene of New York in the '80s. 'Will we live on? The children of La Beija' refers to the 'house' of Pepper La Beija, who was one of the most notable figures on the scene, Pepper is also quoted in Malcolm McLaren's song on the same subject 'Deep In Vogue'. The culture was a flamboyant reaction to persecution and disillusionment, the imagination and bravery of these kids is simply awe-inspiring. I envisioned 'Gone Fishing' almost as a song from a Broadway musical version of this story. The making of one's own world, a safer world and the creation of a new, better family in music or youth culture is a theme I touch upon elsewhere on my album Hairless Toys.
This album follows Murphy's Italian-language EP Mi Senti from 2014.
Hairless Toys:
1. Gone Fishing
2. Evil Eyes
3. Exploitation
4. Uninvited Guest
5. Exile
6. House of Glass
7. Hairless Toys (Gotta Hurt)
8. Unputdownable
Tour dates:
05/16 London, UK - Roundhouse
05/22 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso
05/23 Brussels, Belgium - Ancienne Belgique
05/24 Mannheim, Germany - Maifield Derby
05/30 Hamburg, Germany - Große Freiheit 36
05/31 Berlin, Germany - Berlin Festival
06-19 Barcelona, Spain - Sonar Festival
06-26 Werchter, Belgium - The Barn
09-05 Dublin, Ireland - Electric Picnic
09-13 Isle of Wight, UK - Bestival
