Kim Gordon, former Sonic Youth member, has revealed her third solo album, Play Me, set for release on March 13 via Matador Records. The announcement coincides with the debut of lead single 'Not Today,' accompanied by a music video directed by Rodarte founders Kate and Laura Mulleavy. The album explores themes of modern news, AI, and societal shifts through beat-oriented tracks produced by Justin Raisen.
Kim Gordon's musical journey continues with Play Me, her third solo full-length following No Home Record in 2019 and The Collective in 2024. Produced once again by Justin Raisen, known for collaborations with artists like Charli XCX and Yves Tumor, the album emphasizes concise, rhythm-driven songs. Gordon aimed for a more focused and confident sound, stating, “We wanted the songs to be short. We wanted to do it really fast. It’s more focused, and maybe more confident. I always kind of work off of rhythms, and I knew I wanted it to be even more beat-oriented than the last one. Justin really gets my voice and my lyrics and he understands how I work—that came forth even more on this record.”
The lead single, 'Not Today,' showcases Gordon revisiting a vocal style she describes as a “other voice” that emerged during recording: “I started singing in a way I hadn’t sung in a long time. This other voice came out.” The track features shoegazey synths and propulsive drums, with lyrics touching on everyday frustrations like “Never mind the mess/It’s just my dress” and “Where’s my gum, Postmate?” The accompanying video, filmed in a sparse California cottage, depicts Gordon dancing in a silk tulle dress from Rodarte's early collection. Directors Kate and Laura Mulleavy noted, “She was our idol and we vividly remember fitting the dress with her in NYC. When we started to conceptualize the video, Kim brought up wearing the dress, which we knew was perfect for the video idea.”
Play Me addresses contemporary issues, influenced by news cycles. Gordon explained, “I have to say, the thing that influenced me most was the news. We are in some kind of ‘post empire’ now, where people just disappear.” Themes include the billionaire class, technocratic fascism, and AI's cultural impact, rejecting algorithmic curation in favor of human curiosity. The album features Dave Grohl on drums for 'Busy Bee' and includes a reworked track, 'Bye Bye 25!,' echoing lyrics from The Collective critiquing figures like Donald Trump.
Tracklist:
1. Play Me
2. Girl With a Look
3. No Hands
4. Black Out
5. Dirty Tech
6. Not Today
7. Busy Bee
8. Square Jaw
9. Subcon
10. Post Empire
11. Nail Biter
12. Bye Bye 25!