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AUDIO: EarthEE – THEESatisfaction

THEESatisfaction - EarthEE

EarthEE, THEESatisfaction‘s sophomore LP release on Sub Pop records, is an illustration of the fluidity of the Black American perspective. Beats shift from the ancient to the vintage to the modern. Lyrics deal in the historic complexities of sexuality, race and art. The vocals of Cat and Stas show how intrinsically tied are hip-hop and R&B.

EarthEE seems committed to shaking off the baggage of centuries of skirmish for the sake of finding a higher, more redemptive groove. The best thing about this record is how self-referential it is without seeming exclusionary, something THEESatisfaction’s musical cousin Shabazz Palaces has achieved time and again. Most of us are envious outsiders — culturally, philosophically, musically — to THEESat’s particular pedigree, but the music of these two women couldn’t be more inviting.

Preview tracks from EarthEE and purchase the album over at the Sub Pop website and watch the video for “Recognition” below.

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LISTEN: awE naturalE – THEESatisfaction

Photo by: David Belisle

The title of THEESatisfaction’s debut album on Sub Pop Records (due March 27) is stylized to read: awE naturalE. Group members Cat and Stas have universal style in spades, though, so fanciful alphabetic manipulation is unnecessary whenever concerned with this duo.

The record in question is streaming in its entirety over at NPR Music and I suggest you click on over now. The LP is short enough to listen to during your lunch break, but its musical, lyrical and spiritual depths plumb more toward eternity. It’s as obsessively advanced and enlightened as Shabazz Palaces’ Black Up and, just like that triumph in artistic spirit, it was grown in your own backyard, Seattle. Take joy in this one.

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INTERVIEW: THEESatisfaction (New York, 8.25.11)

Photo courtesy The Stranger.

THEESatisfaction’s recent week-and-half long swing through New York City was hugely eventful. Group members Cat and Stas can thank both Mother Nature and their new label, Sub Pop Records, for that. They performed well-received shows at Bowery Ballroom, where they opened for labelmates the Handsome Furs, and were a featured act in the 14th Annual Black August Benefit Concert at S.O.B.’s the following week. And oh yeah, just for good measure they also survived the Virginia earthquake of August 23 and last weekend’s Hurricane Irene debacle.

(Click here to continue reading at SSG Music.)

Interviews SSG Music Cross-Post