Song of the Day: Little Scream - People

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unrealeased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole, is “People" from Little Scream, which was released as a stand-alone single in late 2016 on Merge Records.

Little Scream - People (MP3)In an interview with Stereogum heralding the release of 2016's "People", Little Scream's Laurel Sprengelmeyer describes her initial reticence at releasing the track, "embarrassed by its lack of nuance." Though written in 2013, Sprengelmeyer chose not to include "People" on her vivid 2016 record, Cult Following. After the general political tumult of late-2016, the artist began to find beauty and resonance in "People"'s brazen message. Finally released on Merge in early-December, "People" is anchored by a guitar motif recalling the gorgeous guitar work of Ali Farka Toure, and Sprengelmeyer's repeated cry of "Come on, people," yelling into an increasingly chaotic soundscape of percussion. Even for its dire subject matter in the face of events today, the track's energy is propellant and danceable, the intricate polyrhythms playing off Sprengelmeyer's startling harmonies and lyrics. While perhaps less nuanced than some of the also political songs on Cult Following, "People" gains power in its clarity and voice.

Little Scream will tour in support of Local Natives this upcoming March through April, including a date in Spokane, WA, at the Knitting Factory. For more information, check out the band's website and Facebook. In the meantime, here's the video for the Cult Following highlight "Love as a Weapon":