Northern Irish born artist Clara Tracey has just announced her debut album Black Forest with a single 'Jane Birkin' out today. The album will come out on the 21st of October via Pizza Pizza Records.

'Jane Birken' takes influence from the actress and singer, although "it isn't an ode to thee Jane Birkin per se - it’s more the androgynous nonchalance and freedom she represents in an era where women were just starting to free themselves," says Tracey.

"Musically it was a bit of a departure from the way I usually write songs. I had just gotten a Nord (which had its own side of the bed for a while) and was experimenting more with Ableton so it was conceived as a full band not a piano arrangement from the get go," she continued.

Tracey is known for her unique music with "a libertarian, feminist and theatrical slant" (The Irish Times). She deliberately provokes her Catholic upbringing in Northern Ireland and writes about sexual liberation and 'playfully erotic' fantasies. The album was recorded in between Covid-19 lockdowns, with restricted assess to materials leading to a '70s/90s Gainsbourg meets Stereolab production style' with organs and synths. She collaborated with producer Daniel Fox of Gilla Band on the album.

'Jane Birken' came with a homemade video shot and edited by Tracey herself and Jamie Hyland of M(h)aol.

She also revealed the album's breathtaking artwork, painted by Salvatore of Lucan. It's 'made up via direct references to art deco stained glass window painter (Harry Clarke), Georgia O’Keefe’s suggestive florals, and Jane Birkin’s androgynous sixties style.'

 

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Clara Tracey can be seen playing a few Irish festivals in the coming months: Fall Right Into Place at Claregalway Castle on the 17th of September, BintFest at Annesley House in Dublin on the 1st of October, and Spilt Milk Festival in Sligo on the 19th of November.

Listen to 'Jane Birken' below:

Watch the 'Jane Birken' music video below: