US-born, Norwegian-Mexican artist and producer Carmen Villain (aka Carmen Hillestad) shares a new single, Subtle Bodies from her forthcoming album, Only Love From Now On (out February 25th on Smalltown Supersound), and in addition, presents a second version of the song by Huerco S. Only Love From Now On showcases Villain’s aesthetic blossoming into something unexpected, benevolent in its composure and altogether luxuriant in its sensuality. In turn, “Subtle Bodies” begins with minimalistic instrumentation, blooming with finely rich layers. Much like how lead single “Gestures” refers to Hannah Wilke’s video piece of the same name, “Subtle Bodies” pays tribute to the performance and sculpture of Ana Mendieta, who Hillestad responded deeply to in that artist’s rage, protest, and love for nature in connection to the female body.
Carmen writes about Subtle Bodies: “I found Ana Mendieta’s work deeply moving in many ways, in an emotional sense but also in the way she fully immersed herself into her art, connecting her humanity, strength, rage and vulnerability with nature. It’s a deeply layered immersion. I had her, and especially her “Silueta” series, in mind when I made Subtle Bodies. Making music is for me about a complete immersion into sound, a continuous conversation between an idea and what comes back to me from what develops sonically. While I certainly consider Mendieta’s work and what she was communicating was far more important than what I do, she continues to be a big inspiration in many ways.
“And about the Huerco S mix: “I have been a big fan of Brian’s work for a good while. He’s got an impeccable approach to sound and texture and communicates a lot with his music I think. So I was very happy he was into doing a version for me when I asked him. I asked him to choose whichever track he wanted from the album, and he went for Subtle Bodies. The result is deep and fizzy, I love it.”
artist Carmen Villain
title Subtle Bodies & Subtle Bodies (Huerco S remix)
label Smalltown Supersound
date 27th Janurary 2022
format Vinyl | digital
Tracklist
1. Carmen Villain ‘Subtle Bodies’
2. Carmen Villain ‘Subtle Bodies’ (Huerco S. remix)