THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “A few years ago, Angel Olsen quietly formed somethingscosmic, a new imprint and a home for her to have “the flexibility to release when and how I want to, with the help from my longtime partners at Jagjaguwar.”
Somethingscosmic’s second release, Cosmic Waves Vol. 1 is a compilation reimagined as a dialogue; Side A features artists chosen by Olsen, with each act choosing their own song for the collection. Side B is a collection of songs from the same artists, but chosen by Olsen and recorded by her. Each song, unsurprisingly, illuminates an artist Olsen finds spectacular. Hearing her refract the artists’ songs back to them reveals the depth of her imagination, while spotlighting multiple exciting artists.
“As someone that emerged into the music scene through a small tape label,” says Olsen, “I’ve wanted to continue the spirit of discovery and of my debut release Strange Cacti, while supporting and collaborating with artists and friends whose music I have been moved by. I feel there is something unique and special about covering another artist’s song,” she continues. “We all make it our own, or we try to, but I personally always learn something new about the process when I’m engaging someone else’s words and melodies in such a close way. Time and again I find that putting myself into various different styles of songs can lead to new ways of thinking and creating.”
The artists on Cosmic Waves Vol. 1 draw from a sprawling, myriad sounds, eras and inspirations. Poppy Jean Crawford’s magnetic growl and guitar-god heaviness; Coffin Prick’s reckless, psychedelic fuzz; Sarah Grace White’s hypnotic voice and melody; Maxim Ludwig’s expert minimalism; and Camp Saint Helene’s beautiful, big-sky folk. “Thank you for listening and supporting this experiment,” Olsen says. “If you like what you hear, please support these artists by buying some of their music, merch, a ticket to their show, or telling your friends about them. It goes a long way. Love, Angel.”
