Juliana Hatfield - Blood (New CD)

Blood”” is Juliana Hatfield”s 19th solo studio album of originals, and a deep dive into the dark side. The album is a brutal and critical look at modern human psychology and behavior; at personal and societal sickness. “”I think these songs are a reaction to how seriously and negatively a lot of people have been affected by the past four years,”” says Juliana. “”But it”s fun, musically. There”s a lot of playing around. I didn”t really have a plan when I started this project.””

“”Chunks”” and “”Had A Dream”” are gritty and abrasive while “”Mouthful of Blood”” and “”Gorgon”” are groovy and ultra-melodic. All of it is eminently hummable and thought-provoking. Sophisticated but catchy. Challenging but danceable. “”I always love coming up with melodies and then trying to fit words into them-it”s like doing a puzzle,”” says Juliana. “”And I always find places to use the Mellotron flutes and strings, on every album, because those sounds are so beautiful to me. They are a nice counterpoint to the damaged lyrical content.”” The album was recorded largely at home-Juliana”s home in Massachusetts and new collaborator Jed Davis” home in Connecticut. “”During self-isolation I took the opportunity to finally learn how to record into my laptop,”” says Juliana, “”and that”s how this album came to be. (Usually I work in a studio.) I did more than half the work in my room-with Jed helping me to troubleshoot the technology, and helping with building and arranging some of the songs-and then I finished up with additional overdubs and mixing with engineer James Bridges at Q Division Studios in Somerville, MA.

• 1 The Shame of Love
• 2 Gorgon
• 3 Nightmary
• 4 Had a Dream
• 5 Splinter
• 6 Suck It Up
• 7 Chunks
• 8 Mouthful of Blood
• 9 Dead Weight
• 10 Torture