Jessica Weiss of Fear Of Men to release debut album inspired by New German Cinema
The 2010s music scene is ripe with nostalgia for bands that may have fallen under the radar, such as Fear Of Men, who haven’t released new music since 2020. However, frontperson Jessica Weiss is stepping into the spotlight with her solo project, New German Cinema, and her debut album, “Pain Will Polish Me,” set to release in two months. Weiss describes the album as a blend of pop and European art-house inspired by the filmmaker Rainer Werner Fassbinder, produced in collaboration with Alex DeGroot across London and LA.
The lead single from the album, “My Mistake,” features a duet with Carson Cox of Merchandise. The collaboration was born out of a desire to create something different from their usual musical endeavors. The accompanying music video, directed by Luke Bather, sets the tone for the album, exploring themes of eroticism and nightmare through visual storytelling inspired by cinematic techniques used by directors like Douglas Sirk and Fassbinder himself.
Bather explains that the video delves into deeper themes like sex, death, repressed desire, and Catholic guilt through a series of performance vignettes inspired by various art forms. The inclusion of archival footage from 1970s Berlin adds a haunting element to the visual narrative, drawing parallels to the original New German Cinema movement that influenced the project.
The tracklist for “Pain Will Polish Me” includes songs like “Sub Rosa,” “Being Dead,” “Eyes,” and the title track, “Pain Will Polish Me.” With a mix of atmospheric sounds and introspective lyrics, the album promises to be a captivating exploration of emotion and storytelling through music. Set for release on 27th March through Felte, the album is available for pre-order now.
As Fear Of Men fans eagerly await new music from the band, Jessica Weiss’s solo venture offers a unique and compelling musical experience that draws on influences from both pop and European cinema. With “Pain Will Polish Me,” Weiss invites listeners into a world of introspection and artistry, combining her love for music and film to create a truly immersive and thought-provoking album.