Cindy Wilson (B-52s)First Solo Album Ever Out Today
By: Caryn Robbins Dec. 01, 2017
Cindy Wilson of the legendary B-52s releases her first-ever solo album, CHANGE (Kill Rock Stars), today. Produced by Suny Lyons at The Space Station in Athens, CHANGE is as bold as anything in Wilson's groundbreaking four-decade canon, melding future pop, disco drama, American standards, electronica, and more into her own distinctive creative vision.
New songs like "Mystic" and the transformative title track are intricate and inventive, lush and luminous with strings, synthesizers, harmonies, and Wilson's utterly distinct vocal magic. Further highlights include a pair of unexpected covers: New Colony Six's soft rock classic, "Things I'd Like to Say," and "Brother," written and originally performed by Athens' own beloved Oh-OK. With CHANGE, Cindy Wilson has once again remade pop in her own innovative, irresistible image.
Known the world over as a vocalist, songwriter, and founding member of the one and only B-52s, CHANGE began for Wilson nearly a decade ago upon her part-time return to her hometown of Athens, GA. She first encountered local multi-instrumentalist Ryan Monahan and drummer Leumuel Hayes when their Beatles tribute band was hired to play her son's birthday party. Wilson, Monahan and Hayes began teaming up for gigs, performing classic garage and psychedelic covers, before ultimately hitting the studio to create new music all their own. Athens-based producer/ musician Lyons was soon enlisted to join the group, resulting in the SUNRISE and SUPERNATURAL EPs, acclaimed by Popmatters for possessing "an undeniable sense of adventure."
Last week, Wilson shared the video for "Brother," directed by the great film and video director Lance Bangs. It was shot mostly in Jeremy Ayers backyard in Athens, GA. Ayers is an Athens arts legend famous for writing the iconic song "52 Girls" from the B-52's first album. The video also feature Iron & Wine Sam Beam's old bicycle.
Billboard premiered the song "No One Can Tell You, " saying, "It's hard to believe this is the first solo album Wilson is putting out throughout the entirety of her career," notes Billboard, adding, "With CHANGE, Wilson was able to experiment with her own creativity and learn about music in an entirely different light. The result is something melodic, calm even, and at times fueled by disco- tinged rhythms."
"Mystic" received its premiere via Stereogum, who claimed it, "an excellent slice of icy, synth-streaked new wave." "With lush synths and a funky motorik rhythm section, 'Mystic' is a celestial wave of chill," raved NPR Music. "Wilson's voice is still a tease, perfectly suited to the Gary Numan-indebted cool the band cultivates."
Wilson has been touring all summer and fall with additional dates to be announced soon. She and her band will be performing at the Planned Parenthood Benefit at Brooklyn's Bell House on December 6. The remaining confirmed dates are below. For updates and more, please see killrockstars.com.
CINDY WILSON
CHANGE TOUR: NORTH AMERICA 2017
DECEMBER
1 - Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club
2 - Asheville, NC - Grey Eagle
3 - Durham, NC - Motorco Music Hall
4 - Washington, DC - The Black Cat
5 - Fairfield, CT - Fairfield Theatre Company
6 - Brooklyn, NY - The Bell House
7 - Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
8 - Vancouver, BC, Canada - The Railway Club
9 - Portland, OR - Star Theater
11 - San Francisco, CA - Café du Nord, Swedish-American Hall
12 - Los Angeles, CA - The Echo
14 - Norman, OK - Opolis
15 - Denton, TX - Dan's Silverleaf
16 - Little Rock, AR - Stickyz
FEBRUARY
23 - London, UK - Under the Bridge
24 - Edinburgh, UK - The Liquid Room
25 - Manchester, UK - The Ruby Lounge
26 - Bristol, UK - The Fleece
27 - Gent, BE - NEST
28 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso Noord
MARCH
1 - Berlin, Germany - Frannz Club
2 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Hotel Cecil
3 - Herning, Denmark - Fermaten
4 - Leipzig, Germany - Mortizbastei
5 - Krefeld, DE - Kulturfabrik
6 - Paris, France - La Maroquinerie
8 - Barcelona, ES - Marula
9 - Santiago De Compostela, ES - Capitol
10 - Madrid, ES - El Sol
Comments
Videos