Neko Case to Release New Album ‘Neon Grey Midnight Green’ This Week
Neko Case, an iconic figure in contemporary music, is preparing to unveil her ninth solo album, Neon Grey Midnight Green, on Friday, marking her first studio release in seven years.
Throughout her illustrious career spanning over twenty-five years, Case has established herself as a fearless songwriter with a knack for immersive storytelling. Critics have already heaped praise on her latest work, with Pitchfork describing the album as “blossoming with awe” and MOJO lauding it as a “dramatic ninth solo outing.”
In anticipation of the album’s release, Case has offered fans a glimpse of what’s to come with the track “Rusty Mountain,” a captivating piece that captures the essence of the record with the declaration, “We all deserve better than some love song.”
Since bursting onto the scene in the late 1990s, Case has carved out a niche for herself by blending indie-rock edge with country-noir ambiance, constantly evolving while retaining a core intensity. Her music delves into not just human emotion but also the natural world, exploring themes of survival, cruelty, and resilience through the lens of animals, elements, and human experiences.
Neon Grey Midnight Green follows Case’s 2018 album, Hell-On, which was hailed by The Guardian as “a pitch-perfect roar of female defiance.” For this latest endeavor, Case took a rawer approach to recording, incorporating breaths and shirt sleeve rustlings into the final mix to capture the raw energy of a live performance.
The majority of the album was recorded at Case’s Vermont studio, Carnassial Sound, with additional sessions in Denver featuring the PlainsSong Chamber Orchestra and in Portland with Tucker Martine.
Reflecting on the production process, Case emphasized the importance of women, non-binary, and trans producers, stating, “There are so few producers who are women, non-binary, or trans. People don’t think of us as an option. I’m proud to say I produced this record. It is my vision. It is my veto power. It is my taste.”
Neon Grey Midnight Green arrives on the heels of Case’s memoir, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You, which debuted at #5 on the New York Times nonfiction best sellers list earlier this year. The memoir, which details Case’s unconventional upbringing in Washington state, has been commended for its sharp wit and emotional candor.
In addition to her musical pursuits, Case is currently working on the score for a musical adaptation of Thelma & Louise, a project for which she was personally selected by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Callie Khouri.
As fans await the release of Neon Grey Midnight Green, they can explore its full tracklist, including standout titles such as “Destination,” “Tomboy Gold,” and “An Ice Age.” The album will be available on digital and physical formats, including limited edition colored vinyl.
Don’t miss out on the latest music news – stay connected with Noise11.com for daily updates and be sure to subscribe to Noise11 Music News on YouTube for exclusive interviews and features. Follow Noise11.com on social media to join the conversation and be the first to catch breaking news and updates.