Never ever give in: Sun, by Cat Power

Photograph by Stefano Giovannini  npr.org

I can hardly think of anyone in the indie/alternative genre who can match the originality and expressiveness of Chan Marshall, the musician who is known as Cat Power; more importantly, her eclectic style, combining the punk aesthetic with the sensibility of folk and the quality of soul, in effect transcends music genres. In other words, it has been nothing short of a fascinating journey, from the intimate rough-edged riffs of Rockets, from her first album Dear Sir back in 1995, to the incredibly moving version of Bob Dylan's I Believe In You, from her 2008 album Jukebox.

And neither does Chan Marshall fail to impress on her most recent album Sun, which she produced herself, as well as plays almost all instruments on it. This time, multiple layers of her trademark vocals meet with the prominent use of synthesizers, in what perhaps is the most optimistic body of work she has ever released. Sun is a brighter albeit not a lighter effort, with tracks such as the upbeat Ruin, and the epic Nothin' But Time, setting the terms of reference. This is an album that breaks new ground, as much as it is vintage Cat Power; and maybe nothing demonstrates that better than the beautifully haunting first single Cherokee. 

It's my way

Never knew love like this

The wind, moon, the earth, the sky

Sky so high

Never knew pain like this

Everything die, then die

Never knew love like this

The sun, the sea, you and I

Never knew pain, never knew shame

Now I know why

Bury me, marry me to the sky
 

If I die before my time

Bury me upside down

Cherokee, kissing me

When I’m on my way down

If I die before my time

Bury me upside down

Cherokee, kissing me

When I’m, I’m going down