Clash Music

Martina Topley Bird - The Blue God, Released 12th May

Martina Topley Bird releases her new album The Blue God this May - produced by one of modern popÕs most visionary thinkers Danger Mouse (Gnarls Barkley, The Grey Album). As one of the most fascinating female artists in modern music today, Martina is also one of British pop's great mavericks, and holds a lengthy back catalogue of musical collaborations such as Tricky, Diplo, David Holmes, Gorillaz, Mark Lanegan, Primus and The John Spencer Blues Explosion, to name but a few.

The Blue God, recorded in LA over a three month period last year, sees Martina take the fabulous contradictions of her past and wrap them in live instruments and luxurious production, resulting in a unique musical environment which fuses Hollywood glitz, psychedelic-pop riffs, ambient interludes, light and shade and her trademark futuristic pop noir. At the same time it's a banner under which Martina delivers ruminations on the human condition. The Blue God is dowsed in natural style and beautiful lyrics. From the reflective and bittersweet debut single Carnies, to the sweeping soulful harmonies of Baby Blue, Martina turns an experienced hand to today's current climate of female pop. Elsewhere, Phoenix and Razor Tongue (featuring bass by Money Mark) are further reminders Martina has lost none of her freewheeling vocal dexterity.

Forthcoming single Poison a brooding monster of a track which showcases MartinaÕs darker pop side, with forthcoming remixes from Van She and The Officers.

Martina first cast strange and exhilarating shadows over contemporary music on Tricky's Maxinquaye in 1995, when no one was expecting the arrival of such a precocious young talent. Danger Mouse (real name Brian Burton) and Martina first became friends in 2004 whilst he was in London recording the Gorillaz album, and consequently he's wanted to work with her ever since. Only in the past year did they find enough time to work together, and the wait was truly worth it. With her extensive musical history (a milestone being a Mercury Music award nominee in 2004, for debut album 'Quixotic'), Martina's year looks set to be hugely exciting with her Blue God album which shows off her creative zenith as a true chameleon of pop.