Xiu Xiu – Unclouded Sky

Whether in stock, or just streaming in store, we’ve got you covered with real, human-generated recommendations straight from the store stereo. We do not receive anything if you buy. All recommendations are our own. (This for fun!)

With his most accessible record in over a decade, the long-tortured Jamie Stewart (driving force behind Xiu Xiu) trades his squeelingly transgressive, infinitely broody electronics for a bare, spiritual acoustic croon. In a nod to another era, the singer recorded a slate of American and Caribbean spirituals from the turn of the 19th century at the home studio of atmospheric Icelandic act Sigur Rós. Cut against a series of animal sounds and field recordings, his voice is ghostlike, a raw, heart-wrecking tenor and bass that immaculately transports the heart and soul of a by turns tortured and inspiring time.
Of course, if this all sounds a little too obscure, un-read the above, and let’s just call it an inventive, affecting old-timey folk album and leave things sounding as accessible as they actually are.
This was released as a 12inch in honor of Record Store Day. So, once you’ve sampled it, please do go out and support your local record store. They are awesome.