Montreal experimental pop trio Braids curate us the most poetic playlist we’ve ever had. Here’s their ten tracks and accompanying haikus, compiled on tour.
After the success of 2011’s Native Speaker and 2013’s Flourish//Perish, Braids (Raphaelle Standell, Austin Tufts, and Taylor Smith) retreated to the mountains to record album number three. Encircled by nothing but nature, they settled in the mountains of Arizona, Vermont and upstate New York and explored their connections as a band, stripping themselves of day to day realities.
Deep In The Iris emerged as what they consider their strongest record to date and with its notable use of acoustic instruments and electronic characteristics, is their most accessible. Sure to win them plenty of new fans and keep the old admirers’ affections, maintaining their signature experimental feel. In their downtime on tour, they created us a 10 ten playlist along with haikus, further emphasising their fondness for staying away from the mainstream.
Morgan Greenwood – “Fur Unison”
warm me like the sun
embers glow beneath our hearts
breathing you like air
Mari Kvien Brunvoll – “Everywhere You Go”
the soul walks with us
forms as we let in being
we create ourselves
Sun Kil Moon – “Carry me, Ohio”
with hands I touch dirt
light brown forms beneath my nails
plant by the window
Spirited Away – “Always With Me”
toes in the tall grass
hair tossled by the warm wind
back tickled sky blue
Tops – “Driverless Passenger”
trees pass beside me
the urge to feel alive now
be here completely
Anna Domino – “Land Of My Dreams”
gates of memory
open to those who hold sweet
sway of a soft breeze
Joanna Newson – “Sprout and The Bean”
hands the scent of rose
collected in a bossom
warmed with a soft breath
Chrysta Bell – “I Die”
wound up in these sheets
the sun stares at our shoulders
we are together
Doldrums – “Closer 2 U”
you stand on my block
through the window I did stare
brown shoulder length hair
Sufjan Stevens – “Seven Swans”
the pond is still now
glare of fire reflected
dance orange feather
‘Deep In The Iris’ is out now via Arbutus Records.