Dessa's forthcoming album 'Chime' (out February 23rd on Doomtree Records) is her most powerful release yet, sonically, lyrically and emotionally - NPR called it one of 2018's most "hotly anticipated albums". Today, she returns with her new single, "5 out of 6", which is the study of an emotional binary, with rhymes that pummel and explore the place where compassion and strength coincide.
Of the meaning behind the song, Dessa, the celebrated rapper, singer, essayist, told Complex "these lyrics reconcile sensitivity with grit--they're about being the sort of person who makes herself available to the world, and who sometimes gets hurt by it, but holds her position all the same."
Listen to "5 out of 6".
The track, which premiered on the radio with KEXP, follows the first two LP cuts "Good Grief" and "Fire Drills," both of which tackle existential topics: like the idea of curative pain ("Good Grief"), or how women are expected to survive in a world where they are taught to be fearful rather than brave ("Fire Drills").
'Chime' is available for preorder.
Dessa kicks of her Chime World Tour at SXSW, Austin from March 15 to 17, and will then set out on the first leg of her tour traveling through the Midwest, followed by Europe. The second leg will see her return to these shores, for a West Coast run; two more dates (San Fransisco & Denver) for which are being announced today, with the rest to follow shortly. Confirmed dates below:
USA
February 23 - Duluth, MN - SOUND*
March 15-17 - Austin, TX - SXSW
March 29 - La Crosse, WI - Cavalier Theater*
March 30 - Madison, WI- Majestic Theatre*
March 31 - Chicago, IL- Subterranean*
April 1 - Detroit, MI - El Club*
April 3 - Iowa City, IA - Mission Creek Festival*
April 4 - Rochester, MN - Rochester Arts Center *
April 6 - Minneapolis, MN - First Ave*
April 27 -Seattle, WA - Neptune Theatre*
May 2 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater*
May 6 - San Fransisco, CA - Independent*
*With MONAKR
Europe
April 9 - Amsterdam NL - Paradiso
April 10 - Hamburg DE - Nochtwache
April 11 - Berlin DE - Musik & Frieden
April 12 - Brno CZ - Kabinet Muz
April 13 - Bratislava SK - Hopkirk Club
April 14 - Prague CZ - Futurum
April 16 - München DE - Hansa 39
April 19 - London UK - Birthdays
April 20 - Manchester UK - Soup Kitchen
For more information on Dessa, please contact Josh Page, Rebecca Shapiro, or Hannah Schwartz at Shore Fire Media, 718.522.7171.