St. Vincent Releases New Studio Album ‘Daddy’s Home’
On May 14, Annie Clark, known by her stage name St. Vincent, released her highly-anticipated sixth studio album, Daddy’s Home. St. Vincent joined forces with Jack Antonoff, who also produced her 2017 Grammy award-winning album, MASSEDUCTION. Back in March, fans could have called her hotline 1-833-77-DADDY and would receive the following message, “She’s back, in a new role like you’ve never seen her before.” This rings true, as Daddy’s Home is her most exploratory one yet.
Daddy’s Home romanticizes the 1970s period of downtown New York. Track 2 of her album is called “Down and Out Downtown,” where she opens the song with, “Last night’s heels / On the mornin’ train / it’s a long way back downtown.” St. Vincent continues to romanticize the ’70s but also pays homage to a towering figure of the time period by the time listeners get to track 13: “Candy Darling.”
Candy Darling was an actress best known for her work with Andy Warhol. She had been a transgender icon and muse for The Velvet Underground, a rock band fronted by Lou Reed. Reed wrote songs “Candy Says” (1969) and the hit “Take A Walk On The Wild Side” (1972) about her. Candy Darling passed away in 1974 at the age of 29 after a battle with lymphoma. After almost fifty years since her tragic passing, St. Vincent is reimagining her role in Daddy’s Home.
Candy Darling & Andy Warhol
— MiMi (@MiMi42272548) March 28, 2017
by Cecil Beaton pic.twitter.com/vJqQCIyioU
SONG OF THE YEAR https://t.co/quxckkwFGQ
— kyle (@skylinetoctrl) May 14, 2021
Daddy’s Home is also largely inspired by her father, who had been released from prison in 2019 after a decade-long stint. Several songs mention her father, such as “My Baby Wants A Baby” where she heartbreakingly sings, “I couldn’t leave like my daddy.” The “Daddy’s Home” track also has St. Vincent singing, “Waiting for you the last time, inmate 502.” St. Vincent never opened up about her father’s prison time out of the protection of her family, but when speaking to Irish Examiner, she reveals, “I was at a place where I was able to write about it with humour and compassion, a sort of sardonic matter of factness, without losing heart.”
Watching #DaddysHome go out into the world. Do with it what you will. https://t.co/WuGe4x4WgK pic.twitter.com/ILkqKX64f0
— St. Vincent (@st_vincent) May 14, 2021
St. Vincent also channels the psychedelia of the ’70s with standout songs “The Melting Of The Sun” and “Live In The Dream.” After releasing “The Melting Of The Sun” with a colorful visual, “Live In The Dream” is a six and a half minute long trip, transporting listeners into another dimension. The album has fusions of funk, soul, and rock.
It came from something I heard Bruce Springsteen say, anecdotally, through @jackantonoff actually. About how you can’t live in the dream and come out the other side. The dream has to live in you in order to continue walking through this world. #DaddysHome
— St. Vincent (@st_vincent) May 14, 2021
Me listening to Live In The Dream from St. Vincent Daddy’s Home: pic.twitter.com/jOOpgmF9EV
— Attar (@AttarPratiwa) May 14, 2021
Fans have taken to social media to express their happiness over St. Vincent’s much-needed return to the music scene.
Me for the next 24/hrs: #DaddysHome pic.twitter.com/Bka3F9AyoE
— violet 🌈 (@girlviolet_) May 14, 2021
how am i going to process #DaddysHome and just go on with my life???? it’s so good i have no words- i need a moment
— marissa (@icedlattewhore_) May 14, 2021
St. Vincent’s Daddy’s Home has the singer back and better than ever. Her experimental use with ’70s sounds cements her as a true visionary in the music industry. Be sure to stream Daddy’s Home on Apple Music and Spotify.
Writer | Tweet me @court__giles
