Half Free is the 4AD debut for Meg Remy's U.S. Girls project, and while the album maintains the accessibility and increased production values of her previous album, 2012's Gem, it also revisits some of the tape loop experimentation and dark subject matter of her older works. The album credits ten people among its performing roster, including Canadian hip-hop producer Onakabazien (who co-produced U.S. Girls' 2013 EP Free Advice Column) and Remy's husband Slim Twig, but the album's crushed, grainy loops and collage-like ...
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Half Free is the 4AD debut for Meg Remy's U.S. Girls project, and while the album maintains the accessibility and increased production values of her previous album, 2012's Gem, it also revisits some of the tape loop experimentation and dark subject matter of her older works. The album credits ten people among its performing roster, including Canadian hip-hop producer Onakabazien (who co-produced U.S. Girls' 2013 EP Free Advice Column) and Remy's husband Slim Twig, but the album's crushed, grainy loops and collage-like construction make it feel less like the work of a live band than Gem did. Two of the tracks, including molasses-slow opener "Sororal Feelings," are built around samples of obscure soul singles (not an uncommon sample in Remy's work), and most of the other songs retain a similar spirit. First single "Damn That Valley" is the clearest realization yet of Remy's offbeat pop vision, with a dubby bassline and ticking drum machine backing up her brassy, Ronnie Spector-like vocals, and a river of bizarre, subtle effects flowing underneath. "Sed Knife" (a remake of an older U.S. Girls song previously released as the B-side of a 2012 7" single) is the album's most straightforward rock song, combining heavy glam riffs with howling (albeit somewhat buried) saxophone. Perhaps the album's most stunning moment is "Navy & Cream," which marries the slowed-down Muzak aesthetic of vaporwave with Remy's clear, sweet vocals, resulting in a magnificently warped slow jam. Similarly, the album's seven-minute finale "Woman's Work" features gloriously hazy production and a pulsating synth bassline, as well as a fierce, dramatic vocal performance. Remy's lyrics focus on the harsh, unforgiving aspects of relationships, and the inclusion of "Telephone Play No. 1" (a phone conversation that jokingly touches on bizarre aspects of parent-child relationships) takes the album down a disturbing path. Overall, Half Free straddles a neat balance between bittersweet pop hooks and murky, adventurous production. ~ Paul Simpson, Rovi
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Add this copy of Half Free to cart. $3.00, good condition, Sold by Bookmans rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Tucson, AZ, UNITED STATES, published 2015 by 4AD.
Add this copy of Half Free to cart. $3.98, poor condition, Sold by Movie Surplus rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Mobile, AL, UNITED STATES, published 2015 by 4AD.
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Seller's Description:
Remy. Poor. Used-Acceptable, DISC ONLY, Withdrawn library disc(s). Includes a case. Artwork and liner notes not included. Disc(s) should play great, without any playback issues. Disc may include library markings, like writing, sticker, and protective label covers.
Add this copy of Half Free to cart. $4.10, fair condition, Sold by Service First Media rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Taylorsville, KY, UNITED STATES, published 2015 by 4AD.
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Seller's Description:
Fair. Ex-Library rental. Disc(s) are professionally cleaned and may contain only light scratches that do not effect functionality. Includes disc(s), case, and artwork. May be missing booklet. Disc(s), case, and artwork may contain library/security stickers and ink writing. ARTWORK IS UNORIGINAL AND PRINTED BY LIBRARY. Case and artwork may show some wear. Case may not be an original jewel case. All disc(s) are authentic.
Add this copy of Half Free to cart. $5.98, new condition, Sold by Bestcdhead rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Milwaukee, WI, UNITED STATES, published 2015 by 4AD.
Add this copy of Half Free to cart. $9.79, good condition, Sold by Stephen White Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Bradford, WEST YORKSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2015 by 4ad.
