Following a cervical cancer diagnosis in 2020, Calgary-born singer-songwriter Rae Spoon has announced their first new album in almost four years.
Not Dead Yet arrives August 11 via the artist's own Coax Records. It's the follow-up to 2019's Mental Health. Named after a common saying in cancer communities, the whole album was written and produced by Spoon, with mastering by Elisa Pangsaeng.
"I was diagnosed with cancer in March 2020, three days after I returned home from a tour for COVID-19 isolation. I was forced into the health care systems I had previously avoided because of how I was treated as a trans/non-binary person with CPTSD," the singer-songwriter explained.
"These songs are intended to be an expression of the unpredictable joy I discovered despite discrimination, indignities, medical abuse, relationship break-downs and near-death experiences," they continued. "I found who my people were, communities that engage in mutual support and that I no longer fear death or living. I developed a deep respect for health care workers and found that being in relationship often bridged our differences."
Spoon added, "My treatment has not been linear and the impacts on my body and mind are ongoing. I hope singing about my experiences creates more space for under-represented folks in healthcare systems. Though, health experiences are as nuanced as each individual person, disability justice, universal health care and universal human rights are goals that serve everyone."
UPDATE (6/13, 10:35 a.m. ET): The album's lead single, "Open Heart," has now been released. Listen to that below, where you can also check out the full album tracklist.
Not Dead Yet:
1. ICU
2. I Think I Was a Person
3. Living More
4. Simple Complication
5. Shake Shake Shake
6. Open Heart
7. WTFIT
8. If I Hold On
9. WTFIT (Clean Version)
Pre-order Not Dead Yet.
Not Dead Yet arrives August 11 via the artist's own Coax Records. It's the follow-up to 2019's Mental Health. Named after a common saying in cancer communities, the whole album was written and produced by Spoon, with mastering by Elisa Pangsaeng.
"I was diagnosed with cancer in March 2020, three days after I returned home from a tour for COVID-19 isolation. I was forced into the health care systems I had previously avoided because of how I was treated as a trans/non-binary person with CPTSD," the singer-songwriter explained.
"These songs are intended to be an expression of the unpredictable joy I discovered despite discrimination, indignities, medical abuse, relationship break-downs and near-death experiences," they continued. "I found who my people were, communities that engage in mutual support and that I no longer fear death or living. I developed a deep respect for health care workers and found that being in relationship often bridged our differences."
Spoon added, "My treatment has not been linear and the impacts on my body and mind are ongoing. I hope singing about my experiences creates more space for under-represented folks in healthcare systems. Though, health experiences are as nuanced as each individual person, disability justice, universal health care and universal human rights are goals that serve everyone."
UPDATE (6/13, 10:35 a.m. ET): The album's lead single, "Open Heart," has now been released. Listen to that below, where you can also check out the full album tracklist.
Not Dead Yet:
1. ICU
2. I Think I Was a Person
3. Living More
4. Simple Complication
5. Shake Shake Shake
6. Open Heart
7. WTFIT
8. If I Hold On
9. WTFIT (Clean Version)
Pre-order Not Dead Yet.
