I have joined the leagues of people who have fallen under Claire Boucher’s spell. It’s difficult not to get twisted up in the ethereal world she creates through her music, where punk attitude and pop princess collide to create a woodland microcosm filled with pixie dust, lusty relationships, a few narcotics, and insanely catchy dance tunes that often force you to question your relationship to balance and reality. It seems as though each Grimes album showcases not only another aspect of her talent, but another element of her own musical background and influences. And as music enthusiast of all kinds, I love that I’ll hear elements of several genres in the inventive worlds she invites us to hang out in by way of her albums. Plus, she looks and sounds like a beautiful tree nymph who got lost in space and was somehow inclined to make music. Could you ask for more? Because I really couldn’t.
Listen to “Circumambient,” off of her latest release Visions, with this “space Grimes” image in mind and you’ll see why I love it. The opening of the track is scratchy and slightly noisy, with a predominant drum roll beat that sounds like its being produced under water. Suddenly there is a sound similar to what I believe a ray gun might produce and a banging in the background that might have been created by the top of a trash can. Finally, there is Claire, whose voice has a distinct pitch that is both beautiful and forceful, the perfect sort of tonality for a dance track. So much comes together to move you through the verses, yet each component seems to work with its fellow elements so seamlessly that you will get totally engrossed in the rhythm if you just allow yourself. The track continues this way until the very end of the song, where Ms. Boucher’s beautiful voice snaps you back to reality with a sort of eerie undertone.
This track is just one of a handful of intense and interesting tracks to play at your not so ordinary dance party this summer. Do yourself a favor and get spacey with Grimes.