What exists in the music beyond the artist? Rae Spoon’s latest album I Can’t Keep All Of Our Secrets inspired some interesting discussions between myself and other listeners regarding whether music can exist as a separate entity apart from the packaged identity of the artist.
Firstly, the music. Spoon has transformed fully from their folk past to a vibrant electronica. Their pure, childlike voice plays counter to oft-jarring synth textures in tracks such as “Crash Landing” and the title track, dangling over the edge of a tumultuous pool of sound. Spoon reveals that the album was written in the wake of the sudden passing of a close friend, and the influence is clear in the sonic image the album prints. “Ghost of a Boy” stands out with its R&B groove, and opening track “Ocean Blue” unabashedly pays homage to Madonna’s “True Blue” and is impossible for those resisting the urge to dance.
As noted in the first line of Spoon’s introduction, Rae Spoon is a transgendered indie electronic musician. In the past month, Spoon has spoken forcefully about the use of gendered pronouns (Spoon prefers the gender-neutral “they”) and binaries in descriptions of individuals. As in any case, in proclaiming your gender identity with a small shout via press releases, it inevitably becomes a label that attaches to not only how your audience understands you, but also your music. Can your gender identity be an identifier of music, much like labels of genres like “rock” and “blues,” without being derogatory (e.g. “tampon rock”)? What does it mean to be a transgendered/female/male musician and how does that influence artistic choices?
I don’t propose to have answers for these questions. As a reviewer, I arrive at the album with all the prerequisite knowledge of Spoon and any expectations and biases that I may carry about a transgendered artist. This goes without saying for anyone that spins in my stereo. Perhaps this disclaimer should be attached to any review, and for triggering the consideration, I’ll have to thank Spoon.
I Can’t Keep All Of Our Secrets was released on January 10 via Saved by Radio.
