Two simple questions, kids: Do you want to do something to help with Japan’s still-very-much-ongoing recovery from this past March’s tsunami? Are you into music that’s awesome? If you answered “no” to either of those questions… well, then fuck you, I guess? But if you answered “yes” (and you did), you’ll be happy to know that Blonde Redhead front woman Kazu Makino has curated a new compilation to help benefit her native country’s continuing relief efforts. As Pitchfork reports, the comp is called We Are the Works in Progress and will be released on January 10 via Blonde Redhead’s brand-new imprint, Asa Wa Kuru (Japanese for “morning will come”).
But here’s the second-most cool part: not only does the album include contributions from the likes of Deerhunter, Liars, Four Tet, John Maus, Karin Andersson (The Knife/Fever Ray), Terry Riley, Pantha du Prince, and more; but but a lot of the tracks are either rare rereleases or 100% exclusive to this comp. In fact, some of them seem to be downright brand new. According to a statement from Makino, the compilation’s title is meant to reflect the fact that many of the songs included are, in fact, still works in progress. “Unfinished things often carry more energy… the possibility of it eventually becoming something great is infinite without having to be quite yet,” she said. “I’ve noticed that each songs relates to one another.” As of now, proceeds from the sale of the album will benefit the Japan Society and Architecture for Humanity, but Makino hopes to add more agencies to that list soon, including those whose focus is on limiting the necessity for nuclear power. And just think, all you have to do to be a part of this is bump some awesome jams.
We Are the Works in Progress tracklisting:
01. Four Tet, “Moma” *
02. Karin Andersson, “No Face” *
03. Terry Riley, “G Song” %
04. Nosaj Thing, “Nightcrawler” *
05. John Roberts, “Berceuse” *
06. Blonde Redhead, “Penny Sparkle [Drew Brown remix]” *
07. Pantha du Prince, “Bird on a Wire” *
08. Broadcast, “In Here the World Begins” ^
09. Liars, “Drip [Blonde Redhead remix]” *
10. Deerhunter, “Curve” *
11. Stalactite, “Stalagmite” *
12. John Maus, “Castles in the Grave” *
13. David Sylvian/Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Bamboo House”
14. Interpol, “Song Seven” $
* exclusive
% new version
^ re-release from vinyl-only tour release
$ previously released B-side
• Blonde Redhead: http://blonde-redhead.com
• 4AD: http://www.4ad.com
• Japan Society: http://www.japansociety.org
• Architecture for Humanity: http://architectureforhumanity.org
