It’s another Bandcamp Friday – potentially the last one (for 2020 at the very least), so all proceeds from sales through the platform today will go to the artist. Many acts have put out special releases for the occasion, and some will be diverting their profits to worthy causes, as is the case with Zola Jesus‘ special new offering. She has shared a new song called “Krunk”, which is actually an Armenian folk song, and all proceeds from sales through her Bandcamp (for $1 or more) will benefit the Armenia Fund and their efforts to provide humanitarian aid during the ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan.
On the song, Zola says:
“I first heard the song ‘Krunk’ (Crane) while listening to a collection of songs sung by Lousine Zakarian, a renowned Armenian soprano. Her recording was so devastatingly beautiful, it spoke to me on many levels. The song evoked so much yearning and sadness, yet at the same time it felt so delicate, like her voice could lift off and fly away. It felt like the purest expression of the ineffable Armenian Soul. I never thought I’d be able to do the song justice, and I still don’t, but the song is so meaningful to me that performing it became a compulsion. Once I heard about the crisis happening in Artsakh, my heart really pained for the Armenian people. They have survived genocides, wars, battles for autonomy and independence, and now this — fighting to reclaim a sacred place that represents so much of their ancient heritage and resilience. I wanted to honor and pay my support to the Armenian Soul, and to acknowledge all the lives tragically lost this year in the war with Azerbaijan. Proceeds of this song will go to the Armenian Fund, to help support the needs of civilians on the ground in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh.)”
She may not think she has done the song justice, but we can tell you: Zola Jesus’ version of “Krunk” is stunning. Leaving aside the walls of sound that often populate her work, hers is an engrossing piano and atmospherics piece, with plenty of room left for her astounding voice. We can often forget how breathtakingly talented she is as a singer, but “Krunk” leaves us in no doubt.
Listen to “Krunk” via the embed below, but please purchase it from Bandcamp if you can.
