Willis Earl Beal's previously announced animated film, Principles of a Protagonist, is slated to appear on his website this fall, and now the outsider songwriter has released an EP that functions as that flick's soundtrack.
The five-song collection, which is also called Principles of a Protagonist, is available as a free BitTorrent download. The singer's website explains that this release "exemplifies Beal's desire to be heard on his own terms and demonstrates that — despite all the critical acclaim — his want of gifting music to the world has not changed."
In other words, this DIY release isn't so different from the homemade albums and art that Beal used to give away in his pre-fame days.
The five songs included here are re-recorded versions of cuts from this year's Acousmatic Sorcery. They're a far cry from the no-fi folk weirdness of that album, as "Away My Silent Lover" boasts expansive synths, "Swing on Low" is anchored by barroom piano and "Cosmic Queries" nestles Beal's vocals in a swooning cloud of reverb-soaked ambience.
Get the release here, and watch a trailer for the upcoming animated film (featuring the new version of "Cosmic Queries") below. Read more about the film here.
Principles of a Protagonist:
1. Away My Silent Lover
2. Sambo Joe from the Rainbow
3. Evening's Kiss
4. Swing on Low
5. Cosmic Queries
The five-song collection, which is also called Principles of a Protagonist, is available as a free BitTorrent download. The singer's website explains that this release "exemplifies Beal's desire to be heard on his own terms and demonstrates that — despite all the critical acclaim — his want of gifting music to the world has not changed."
In other words, this DIY release isn't so different from the homemade albums and art that Beal used to give away in his pre-fame days.
The five songs included here are re-recorded versions of cuts from this year's Acousmatic Sorcery. They're a far cry from the no-fi folk weirdness of that album, as "Away My Silent Lover" boasts expansive synths, "Swing on Low" is anchored by barroom piano and "Cosmic Queries" nestles Beal's vocals in a swooning cloud of reverb-soaked ambience.
Get the release here, and watch a trailer for the upcoming animated film (featuring the new version of "Cosmic Queries") below. Read more about the film here.
Principles of a Protagonist:
1. Away My Silent Lover
2. Sambo Joe from the Rainbow
3. Evening's Kiss
4. Swing on Low
5. Cosmic Queries
