Patti Smith has announced the June 5th release of her eleventh studio album, Banga.
Banga was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City and produced by Patti Smith and her band. The album also features guests include Tom Verlaine, Jack Petruzzelli, Smith’s son Jackson and daughter Jesse Paris.
This highly-anticipated album marks Smith’s first collection of original
material since 2004, when she made her debut with the critically-acclaimed
Trampin’. April Fool the first single from Banga, (featuring Tom Verlaine) is
available digitally today.
Inspired by Smith’s unique dreams and observations, Banga’s poetic lyrics
are a reflection of our complex world – a world that is rife with chaos and
beauty. Praised for her storytelling abilities, Smith has crafted an album that
captures a wide range of human experience.
There is an exploratory spirit in the songs that make up Banga, including a melodic overture imagining the voyage of Amerigo Vespucci to the New World in 1497 (Amerigo), a rock song for the people of Japan in the wake of last years earthquake (Fuji-san), a classic ballad in memory of Amy Winehouse (This Is The Girl), an improvised meditation on art and nature (Constantine’s Dream) as well as a birthday song written for her friend Johnny Depp (Nine). Listeners of all generations will surely relate to the hope, humour, and humanity of Patti Smith’s adventurous new album.