COLD SPECKS RETURNS WITH A NEW TRACK, “HOW IT FEELS”, HER FIRST RELEASE IN SEVEN YEARS, OUT TODAY VIA SECRET CITY RECORDS
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Photo Credit : Ted Belton // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES
Today, singer, songwriter, and producer Cold Specks (aka Al Spx) returns with a new track, “How It Feels”, her first release in seven years. “How It Feels” is a raw and intimate reminder of Al Spx’ powerful voice, and finds the artist assuredly looking back on a difficult period in her life, with a clarity that time often brings to events.
Written with Chantal Kreviazuk (Drake / Kendrick Lamar), Spx explains, “‘How It Feels’ was written in 2019 at a time when I was struggling with money. I was struggling with my mind as well, and I was reflecting on my experiences. It was written one magical night in the dead of winter in a studio around midnight. It came together quite easily and Chantal is a gem.”
LISTEN / SHARE “HOW IT FEELS” HERE
BUY / STREAM “HOW IT FEELS” HERE
The potent new track was written as she contemplated a difficult period in her mental health which resulted in some time in hospital before a bipolar diagnosis. The track was produced and performed by Al Spx, recorded by Graham Walsh (of Holy Fuck) and features piano by Johnny Spence, strings by composer Owen Pallett and brass by long-time collaborator Terry Edwards.
“How It Feels” is the first new music from Cold Specks since 2017’s Fool’s Paradise, and a confident reminder of her electrifying vocal, first glimpsed on an unforgettable a capella performance on Later… with Jools Holland in 2011.
Since 2011, Cold Specks has mixed crackling, pared-down guitar blues, gothic soul, gospel, and warm electronics in three albums which received Polaris Music Prize and JUNO Award nominations; I Predict A Graceful Expulsion (2012), Neuroplasticity (2014) and Fool’s Paradise. Spx has worked with Swans, Massive Attack, Moby and performed at Joni Mitchell’s birthday concert.
PREVIOUS PRAISE FOR COLD SPECKS
“Compelling and timeless” - The Observer
“(Cold Specks) at her rawest, most individual form yet -
and the result is stunning” - CBC Music
“Haunting and healing in equal measures” - The Guardian
“Striking a balance between sinister and comforting…
(her) voice is as strong as ever” - Exclaim!
“… peerless” – Pitchfork
“Haunting doom-laden soul” - Vogue