July 7, 2013
Woman by Rhye
A happy custom for me is to download twice each year the podcasts of favorite album and song picks by Bob Boilen and friends of NPR’s All Songs Considered. Each summer and winter break, when my mind is relaxed and prepared, I explore a collection of new songs selected by the NPR professionals.
Music is a very personal thing, so I’m motivated to purchase only a tiny fraction of their selections for my music collection. I’ve little use for their more twee and urban picks, but they always highlight something which excites my ear and quickens my pulse. Today I listened to their recent selections for The Year in Music (So Far), 2013 and one song stood out for me.
It opened with lush strings and shifted to a rhythmic click track, beating in time with an arresting voice. Was that a woman’s contralto? Or a man’s falsetto? Well, it was the aptly named Open from the album Woman by Rhye. After sampling a few tracks, I was thrilled to purchase the whole album from Amazon for only $5.
The voice belongs to Michael Milosh, a Canadian electronic musician and classically trained cellist, who moved to Los Angeles and fell in love. There he teamed up with Danish producer Robin Hannibal, who had also relocated and found love in the Golden State, and they formed Rhye.
I love sophisticated pop, and Rhye reminds me of the deep swaying rhythms and romance of Sade Adu. I commend to you Ian Horrocks’ review of the album if Open invites you in.
“Open”
I’m a fool for that shake in your thighs
I’m a fool for that sound in your sighs
I’m a fool for your belly
I’m a fool for your loveI wanna make this play oh I know you’re fadin’
Hmmm but stay don’t close your hands
I wanna make this play oh I know you’re faded
Hmmm but stay don’t close your handsCaught in this pool held in your eyes
Caught like a fool without a line
We’re in a natural spring
With this gentle sting between usI wanna make this play oh I know your fadin’
Hmmm but stay don’t close your hands
I wanna make this play oh I know you’re faded
Hmmm but stay don’t close your handsOoh, stay open
Ooh, stay openStay open
Stay openI wanna make this play oh I know your fadin’
Hmmm but stay don’t close your hands
I wanna make this play oh I know you’re faded
Hmmm but stay don’t close your handsStay open
Stay open
Stay openMm, stay open
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