Daughn Gibson

'Carnation' (album stream)

BY Sarah MurphyPublished May 25, 2015

Daughn Gibson stepped out from behind the Pearls and Brass drumkit a few years back, establishing himself as a velvety-voiced solo artist on his first two albums. He returns with the third LP under his own name next week when Carnation arrives — but Exclaim! is giving you a chance to hear it right now.
 
The new set of songs was co-produced by Gibson and Randall Dunn (Earth, Sun O))), Tim Hecker), and recorded at Avast Studios in Seattle. It marks his second record for that city's iconic Sub Pop label, following up 2013's Me Moan.
 
Carnation hears Gibson veering away from his earlier country influences and embracing "ambient textures," creating an elegant, dark, and cinematic collection of songs. The singer sites filmic influences on the new record, drawing inspiration from figures like Tim Burton, Pier Paolo Pasolini and John Waters.
 
In addition to delivering brooding beats and eerie soundscapes, Gibson uses his deep, theatrical style of singing to explore serious themes like mental health ("Daddy I Cut My Hair") and masculinity ("A Rope Ain't Enough"), as well as the simpler things in life, like the moment an alarm clock wakes you from the peace of sleep on lead single "Shatter You Through."

Dramatic and haunting, yet infectious and groove-heavy at the same time, Carnation officially arrives on June 2. If you're in Canada, give it an early listen right now in the player below.

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