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American born artist Kim Althea Gordon, famed for her instrumental contribution to the alternative rock band Sonic Youth, astonishes us yet again with her second solo LP “The Collective” that hit the shelves in 2024. Retaining her grasp on the underground musical world for more than 50 years, this project manifests the essence of Gordon’s wide-ranging experimental musical prowess. Also reputable as a visual artist, record producer, actor, and fashion visionary, this Rochester-born artist never fails to make a mark, and “The Collective” is another testament to her relentless creativity.
Sonic Youth, spawned in the cultural ferment of New York City in 1981 by Gordon and her then-husband Thurston Moore, shaped the underground rock sound of the 80s. After gaining recognition with six independent label releases and nine studio albums with DGC Records, the band left a gap in the underground music scene when it disbanded in 2011, following Gordon and Moore’s divorce. Sonic Youth culminated their musical journey with their 15th and final studio album, “The Eternal” in 2009.
After the curtain fell on Sonic Youth, Gordon didn’t miss a beat. She soon made her debut in the experimental duo Body/Head with musician Bill Nace, releasing “Coming Apart” in 2013. Her musical explorations continued as she formed Glitterbust with Alex Knost in 2016, leading to a self-titled debut album. Gordon continued reaching new artistic heights until finally releasing her first solo endeavor “No Home Record” in 2019, paving her way as an outstanding solo artist.
Gordon’s capacity to adapt and create art within diverse disciplines is lucidly reflected in “The Collective”. The album is a potpourri capturing the essence of her versatile artistry, spanning stomach-churning noise, blissed-out alt rock, progressive electronica, glacial ambience, and acid-fried film scoring. For instance, the track ‘BYE BYE’ lays bored lines over a beat that seamlessly marries downtown art scuzz with trunk rattling rage rap, perfectly encapsulating the essence of the album.
Adding to her extensive discography are her works with other musicians, such as Free Kitten, a musical endeavor she initiated with Julia Cafritz in 1993. Also worth mentioning is her stint as a record producer on Hole’s debut album “Pretty on the Inside” in 1991. She also ventured into the fashion domain by establishing the Los Angeles-based clothing line X-Girl in 1993. Impressive it is, when a childhood in Los Angeles, graduating from Otis College of Art and Design, spawns such a diverse range of creativity.
“The Collective” is a perfect addition to the timeline of Gordon’s artistic evolution, again underlining her confidence to defy musical genres and have meaningful ventures within them. Sharing influences ranging from Sonic Youth’s punk era to her more recent experimental endeavors, this album speaks volumes for her association with the alternative rock world, her successive collaborations, and her undying spirit of continually seeking new musical heights.
