Annika Henderson’s self-titled debut remains in heavy rotation here at the Lab office in 2021, 11 years after its joint release on Invada and Stones Throw, around the time we got her to do the first-ever episode of Lab Radio at the old 7th street shop (you must check this out - she plays strictly new wave and post-punk 45s). And yet despite two great albums with her band Exploded View (and some pretty far out stuff with Shackleton, if you’re adventurous) in the interim, we’ve been pining for this solo follow-up for ages. Recorded with Exploded View’s Martin Thulin, the production expands on Beak>'s stripped down krautrock backdrop for Anika with thick modular synthscapes and cavernous dub atmosphere, lending a renewed viscera to Henderson’s Orwellian public service announcements. This paranoid stew calls to mind Tender Buttons-era Broadcast, or some chance encounter between Can, Coil and Nico, with empowered, tightly wound lyrics summarized as "heightened frustration buoyed by guarded optimism." Check out “Rights,” “Finger Pies,” “Naysayer,” “Sand Witches,” “Never Coming Back,” and “Freedom.” Limited pressing on silver and red galaxy colored wax and housed in a reflective mirrorboard jacket with download code, released by Sacred Bones, recommended.

• silver + red galaxy colored vinyl
• housed in reflective mirrorboard jacket w/ printed inner sleeve
• digital download included
• limited edition
• music label: Sacred Bones Records 2021

reviewed by departmental dan 08/2021