The Philadelphia DIY band Empath, known for their delightfully chaotic sound, has been relatively quiet in recent years. Their 2022 album, Visitor, earned recognition as an Album of the Week, and while the group hasn’t disbanded and may eventually release another record, frontwoman Catherine Elicson has a different project on the horizon: her debut solo album, River Of Fat.
The title River Of Fat is undeniably evocative, conjuring images of salmon-pink sludge reminiscent of Ghostbusters 2 ooze or Silly Putty. Staying true to Empath’s lo-fi aesthetic, River Of Fat embraces a raw, visceral sound. Elicson recorded the album entirely at home alongside engineer Shaun Sutkus, utilizing only a guitar, sampler, synth, and a 4-track recorder to craft its distinctive textures.
The album draws inspiration from a compelling roster of artists, including John Cale, the Urinals, and Amen Dunes. The lead single, “Figure,” is a delicate vocal-and-guitar piece that echoes the style of Mary Timony following her tenure with Helium. An animated music video for the track, directed by Halle Ballard, accompanies the release.
TRACKLIST:
01 “I’m On Fire”
02 “A Warm Day In The Park”
03 “Figure”
04 “River Of Fat”
05 “All Sound”
06 “My War”
07 “Flowers Smile”
08 “Safe”
09 “CTW”
River Of Fat is scheduled for release on November 6 via Community Music.
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