Over the past several decades, Kim Gordon has been one of the most recognized and trusted names in rock and roll. But one thing the former Sonic Youth guitarist/vocalist had yet to do was go solo — until now.
Five years after parting ways with Sonic Youth, Gordon has roared back with her first solo track ever, the monstrous, noisy “Murdered Out”. According to reports, it was inspired by California car culture, and features Warpaint’s Stella Mozgawa on drums. Gordon collaborated with Angel Olsen producer Justin Raisen on the track, and it’s a striking banger that shows Gordon is as relevant as ever.
“When I moved back to LA, I noticed more and more cars painted with black matte spray, tinted windows, blackened logos, and black wheels,” Gordon says. “This was something I had occasionally seen in the past, part of lowrider car culture. A reclaiming of a corporate symbol of American success, The Car, from an outsider’s point of view. A statement-making rejection of the shiny brand new look, the idea of a new start, the promise of power, and the freedom on the open road. Like an option on a voting ballot, “none of the above… ‘Murdered Out’, as a look, is now creeping into mainstream culture as a design trend. A coffee brand. A clothing line. A nailpolish color.”
She adds: “Black-on-black matte is the ultimate expression in digging out, getting rid of, purging the soul. Like a black hole, the supreme inward look, a culture collapsing in on itself, the outsider as an unwilling participant as the ‘It’ look.”
Gordon goes deeper in explaining the track and her experience working with Raisen for this NPR feature, so check that out and coat yourself in blissful noise below. “Murdered Out” is out now on Matador and streaming services.