Hipster grandma-approved glasses
The opening seconds of Yeasayer’s newly released “Henrietta” recall a Caribbean-set noir. Synth notes reminiscent of choppy surf breathe in and out, creating instant ear candy.
Vocalist Chris Keating’s delivery hints at something sexy and mysterious. His words don’t really matter here, though. It’s all about the groove. Which come to think of it, the same can be said for all of Yeasayer’s finest tracks, save for the transcendent “2080“.
Yeasayer is a hit or miss proposition for me, as I’ve noted before. “Henrietta” is definitely in the hit category. Its smooth, relaxing, weightless fun, right down to its robotic “Oh Henrietta, we can live on forever” outro.
PS: I hope the closing line is a reference to Henrietta Lacks. That would be random and rad.
Yeasayer – “Henrietta”
The entire song is about Henrietta Lacks. Good guess!
“Her tumors were somehow used in the polio vaccine, too, so basically this woman’s cells still exist. It’s an interesting story. So we turned it into a dubbed-out pseudo-science-fiction song.”
Am I the only person who cannot make out 90 percent of the song’s lyrics prior to the outro? That’s why I wasn’t sure whether it was about Henrietta Lacks.
Yeah, I have no clue. And usually I can pick up most of Yeasayer’s lyrics. Maybe they’re turning a new mumbly leaf for the new album.
I’ve never seen the words mumbly and leaf placed together like that. I am kind of mesmerized. Per their new album: Hopefully it will see them capitalize on the enormous potential they have hinted at on their two previous albums. If that means turning over a mumbly leaf, while kicking out the jams, then I am OK with that.