Mykki Blanco Posts Collaboration With R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe Family Ties
Tuesday, 22 March 2022
Written by Jon Stickler
Photo: Luca Venter
Mykki Blanco has shared a new single, Family Ties.
The atmospheric track features R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe and deals in minimal electronic production from FaltyDL, and Blanco, with elements of synth-pop. It also finds Blanco singing the verses, instead of rapping.
Written in Lisbon and New York City, it serves as the first preview of a follow-up to 2021's 'Broken Hearts & Beauty Sleep'. It comes with an accompanying black and white video, directed by Kit Monteith and Krishna Muthurangu.
"Family Ties is the first song where I sonically found my voice, and I mean that in a very literal way,” Blanco explained. "It’s the first song in my entire career where I am singing, I don't rap. I wrote this song about the relationship between my ex-boyfriend and his father that has had bouts of mental illness. When the person you love is going through a situation that you can’t alter in any way, or help or be active in trying to correct it not only hurts them but it hurts you. I think the core meaning of this song is compassion in the face of helplessness."
Discussing working with Stipe, they added: "Falty DL and I took a shot at the moon – I sent him the song because it felt as if in some alternate universe Michael Stipe had already created it. His willingness to perform and be a part of this meant the world to me. I hope to just keep making good art and attracting meaningful circumstances and people that make this life and making music worthwhile. This on so many levels was one of those moments."
Stipe revealed: "Mykki has a gorgeous voice, resolute and strong. I’m thrilled to have worked on ‘family ties’— I love how the song turned out."
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