Since the release of Strange Mercy (which was chosen as our Album of the Year), Annie Clark (a.k.a. St. Vincent) has kept herself busy by recently announcing that she’ll be doing a collaborative album with David Byrne as well as embarking on a North American tour together. But amidst all this news, a bonus track from the Japanese release of Strange Mercy has surfaced, entitled “This Wave.”
“This Wave” is a slow, melancholy of a number that is kept to a minimal arrangement. It’s layered with whistles that linger in the background, while starting off with Clark singing over a delicate piano. Spontaneity is a signature and common trait in every St. Vincent song, and that’s no different here. Guitars subtly weave in and out while a drum roll that’s only sustained for a brief moment enters in the most unexpected of ways, but remains constant towards the end. Lyrically, the theme of romance is continued as she yearns “I lit a candle for you in Rome/ I did the same in Mexico/ Why don’t you tap me on the shoulder/ When the scary scene is over.”
It’s unfortunate that “This Wave” is only a Japanese release, but thanks to the internet, it can be shared with the entire world to hear. While we probably won’t be hearing anything new from Ms. Clark for awhile, it’s great that little surprises like this pop up from time to time. But for now, her collaboration with the great David Byrne will certainly be more than enough material to keep the music world buzzing with excitement and anticipation.
