Draining D.I.Y. with LAVAGXRL and the TRASH STARS! Compilation [Single Premiere]
“What I adore about Bladee is he’s a super genuine songwriter and you can tell he says exactly what he means without over-explaining.”
“Still, the lyrics have shades of irony and dark imagery that adds a new dimension to the song. It’s intricate and spontaneous, playful and spiritual,” Boston-based rapper/singer/wizard/producer Sophia Higgins a.k.a. LAVAGXRL told Wormbrain about their contribution to TRASH STARS!, the first ever W.W-curated benefit compilation. Their take on “Don’t Worry” off Bladee’s 333 (2020) is among the three early tributes premiering today from the comp, which collects a dozen artists across the independent music spectrum to be released in full on New Year’s Eve 2021 to benefit the Student Immigrant Movement.
If you’re not acquainted already, you may not be alone in this admission and you definitely won’t ever be alone again if you click play that first time. Once you choose to listen to Bladee, you inevitably find yourself draining with the rest of the gang whether you’re ready or not.
The prolific and collaborative rapper/singer/wizard/producer from Sweden has a deep discography of cross-genre experimental pop and cloud rap with arms across the world through his creative collective Drain Gang and an artistic influence that knows no bounds, as clearly evident in the roster involved with the TRASH STARS! compilation, which includes interpretations from Field Medic, Pictoria Vark, Bedbug, Fog Lake, Beatricks, and more.
When asked, Higgins said that the decision to tackle the song "Don’t Worry” was an “easy choice” because “it’s so fun to sing and has this carefree bounce that I love.” Their interpretation brings out a special romantic whimsy that was always present in the song’s lyrics, highlighted by and for fresh eyes and ears. It is every bit a LAVAGXRL song, while maintaining Bladee’s skeleton.
Similarly, the other advanced listens from the compilation, “Swan Lake” as covered by lo-fi folk crooner Swim Camp and “Western Union” done by scrappy emo outfit Tooth Cemetery, also find revitalized takes on the drainer classics and can be listened to today ahead of the full 12/31/21 release.
“What I adore about Bladee is he’s a super genuine songwriter... It’s intricate and spontaneous, playful and spiritual.”
W.W: What is Wormbrain?
SH: Sounds like an indica hybrid 2 me, but I’m pretty sure someone said it’s a kind of bioluminescent jellyfish?
W.W: Thank you for sharing with Wormbrain.
Photo courtesy of the artist.
Wormbrain World’s first benefit compilation TRASH STARS! is out 12/31/21 everywhere via the W.W Bandcamp to benefit Student Immigrant Movement.
