Dessa Announces Her New Studio Album, 'Chime,' Arriving on February 23, 2018

Dessa announces her new full-length studio album, Chime, will be released on February 23, 2018 by Doomtree Records. Having previously premiered the pop anthem “Good Grief” on NPR in October, the Minneapolis artist follows up with a rap-driven single, “Fire Drills.” The song premiered earlier this morning on The Current (KCMP). Production credits on Chime include fellow Doomtree crew members Lazerbeak, Paper Tiger, and Cecil Otter, as well as composer Andy Thompson and Dessa herself. Both singles are available instantly via iTunes and Doomtree Webstore pre-orders and can be heard on all streaming platforms.

About “Fire Drills,” Dessa says, “I rarely address identity politics head-on. "Fire Drills" is one of the few times I’ve written explicitly about the experience of being a woman—in my case, a woman who often travels to faraway places alone. In the lyrics, I tried to include the bodily sensations, the logistical considerations, and the philosophical consequences of the daily vigilance that’s asked of women—to keep their bodies safe and reputations clean.”

Chime is physically available in standard, deluxe, and collector’s packages from Doomtree’s webstore. Packages include items like the “Get Rich Slow” wooden money clip (a Dessa lyric), a “Good Grief” handkerchief, and the chance to get handwritten Chime lyrics and a one-of-a-kind autographed Dessa Polaroid.

Dessa elaborated on the 11-track project by saying, “My life has changed considerably since my last album, Parts of Speech. I now live half time in New York and I look confident enough walking down the street to be stopped by the occasional tourist for directions. I published my first travel piece for The New York Times Magazine. My grandma, Jeanette—an important voice in my adult life—died. I was invited to record a song for The Hamilton Mixtape, and I got steamrolled by a pretty rough break-up. Industry norms dictate that a pop musician should release a full-length record every year and a half, lest she risk losing the interest of her listeners. Thanks for the patience while I finished this shit.”

Dessa, a member of the Doomtree crew, has made a career out of bucking traditional genre designations – from rapping at Lollapalooza to arranging for full choir. In 2017, she made her orchestral debut, selling out two nights with the world-class Minnesota Orchestra. She also co-wrote an episode of the chart-topping podcast Welcome to Night Vale, and was tapped by Lin-Manuel Miranda to record the song “Congratulations” for Billboard’s #1 album The Hamilton Mixtape. She also contributed to his recent benefit single for Puerto Rican relief efforts, “Almost Like Praying.” Her cover of The Mountain Goats song “Balance” was released last night, as part of the collaborative project “I Only Listen To The Mountain Goats,” co-created by Night Vale Presents and Merge Records.

As a writer, Dessa has contributed to The New York Times Magazine, MPR, the Star Tribune, and literary journals around the country. Her next collection of essays will be published by Dutton Books (Penguin Random House).

Chime Track Listing

Ride

5 out of 6

Fire Drills

Velodrome

Good Grief

Boy Crazy

Jumprope

Shrimp

Half of You

Say When

I Hope I’m Wrong 

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