“Despite the turbulence it contains, LIONHEART is too full of warmth and energy to sound like anything but a celebration of what she holds precious.” Uncut Album of the Month, February 2018
For her debut solo album LIONHEART (out 26 January via Merge), H.C. McEntire found a creative catalyst in Kathleen Hanna. What began as an invitation from McEntire to have Hanna’s band The Julie Ruin perform at Girls Rock North Carolina’s 10th anniversary soon turned into a friendship and, ultimately,
an artistic mentorship. “Quartz in the Valley” was the first song the two worked on together, and it’s premiering today on The Grey Estates, who wrote; “McEntire’s vocals radiate with unmistakable strength; a constant guiding force that tempers through a country-music tale of mascara-stained pillowcases and a waiting creek that holds all the answers.”
McEntire elaborates:
LIONHEART is a collection of songs inspired by the American South and a desire to reclaim “country” music from the hetero-normative, homogenous schtick of tailgates and six-packs and men chasing women. Stereogum describes McEntire’s voice as “weary, wise, and bright as morning sunshine all at once,” and that sunshine glows throughout the triumphant LIONHEART.
As well as collaborating with Kathleen Hanna, for the album, McEntire invited many of her favourite musicians to participate, including Angel Olsen, Amy Ray, Tift Merritt, William Tyler, Mary Lattimore, and Phil Cook, while remaining bravely devoted to her most authentic self throughout the process. LIONHEART was recorded during the first few months of 2017 with additional recording and mixing taking place on the run as McEntire toured the world as a member of Angel Olsen’s band.
In case you missed it, here’s the lyric video for “A Lamb, A Dove”.
LIONHEART
Merge Records
26 January 2018
1. A Lamb, A Dove
2. Baby’s Got the Blues
3. Yellow Roses
4. Wild Dogs
5. Quartz in the Valley
6. When You Come for Me
7. Red Silo
8. One Great Thunder
9. Dress in the Dark
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