Rchl drives the Zola Jesus love-fest forward by finding the perfect pop song on Conatus. Readers should know that Rchl’s definition of “perfect” involves a hefty amount of gloom so don’t come around here expecting any uplifting shit. All we’ve got is a sci-fi opera involving acid baths.
Zola Jesus – “Lick The Palm Of The Burning Handshake”
Full album stream plus song by song breakdown from Zola Jesus here.
From: Rchl Brwn
To: Sarah Braunstein
Yes, Brandon introduced me to Zola Jesus early this year and similarly I fell for her voice. While I generally stay within the metal and rock genres, I make many exceptions for dark and melancholy indie/pop (i.e. Au Revoir Simone, Fielded or Cat Power). It’s funny you mention the “witch house” label because I remember Brandon using that to describe Zola and I was like, “I don’t get it.” But the point is that labels and genres are unimportant to me if the music is moving, which I undoubtedly think Zola Jesus’s is.
Before diving into Conatus, I must thank you, Sarah, for sharing the brief background on Danilova that I never bothered to look up while listening to her music. I’m even more impressed given the two-week production time for Stridulum. And you’re right, I hear the classically trained opera diva now. I mean, it was clear that she had pipes but now the deep and full quality of her voice makes a little more sense. And on my last digression from the new album, I totally want to see her produce that sci-fi, acid bath opera she’s writing (Editor’s note: see end of this article for a description of Zola’s opera).
Ok. Conatus. Although I love the lo-fi production of the earlier Zola albums, Danilova rocks the higher quality production too without letting it get in the way. She’s a master at layering synths and drum beats that support her voice rather than cloud it. That said, I must admit that the album gets off to a slow start for me although I like the first three tracks very much. It’s with the fourth track, “Hikikomori,” that I am hooked into Conatus. I love the way the string-like synths dance around her devastated mantra of “Oh, I know I’m whole.” Honestly – and I’m bearing a bit of my private life here – I’ve repeated this to myself after bouts of complete emotional exhaustion (which Danilova was also experiencing when she wrote the track). With this song, she nails the bitter-sweetness of solitude.
My favorite track on this album is “Lick the Palm of the Burning Handshake.” There’s something about the way it swells and wanes, and then the apparent choir that chimes in toward the end of the song. It’s trance inducing. “Shivers” follows this track and I was literally singing along during the first listen! So, Danilova, if you’re seeking to create the perfect pop song, I think you’ve done it. I also appreciate that it’s not too cheesy, as pop songs tend to be (at least in my opinion). It’s even gloomy! Love. Then, I was completely taken with the way “Skin” follows with its delicate piano accompaniment. These three songs swept me up so high that when “Collapse” closed up the album, I felt devastated. I’m not sure if it’s the power of the emotion she infuses her songs with, but “it hurts to let you in,” Nika. It really does, and I love it. Sarah, if we were actually having a slumber party while listening to this album, I would be asking you to hold me by the end of it. I know we just met, but seriously.
So Sarah, I’m curious, which songs pull at your heartstrings the most? And do you agree with me about the slow build of the album?
“I would be nothing without your fear”
Rchl
Get Conatus here:
Sacred Bones Records | Insound Vinyl | Amazon
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