St. Vincent - ‘Strange Mercy’ + Absinthe Frappé
Ingredients: 1 ounce absinthe, 1/2 tablespoon superfine sugar, 1 ounce water.
Mixing Instructions: Pour the absinthe, sugar (the quantity will need to be adjusted according to the brand of absinthe, as they vary greatly in sweetness), and the water into a blender. Blend for a moment to dissolve the sugar and then, with the blender running, add 3 or 4 ice cubes through the hole in the top, pausing between cubes to let them get crushed. Blend until smooth. (via Esquire)
Notes: When describing St. Vincent’s music I can only say that she seems to be constructing her albums with a different set of building materials - specifically those that provide the most stark contrasts. Guitar riffs deconstructed to chainsaw-like flurries bounce around dreamy, innocent soundscapes that can at any moment go from child-like wonder and amusement to a deformed state of confusion and horror. Her voice, soft and lullaby-esque breathes out some of the most stark and self-aware lyrics around. Simply put, Annie Clark’s music keeps you on your toes and Strange Mercy, her third studio album, twists all these contrasts and contradictions into a overwhelmingly strong piece of art. If you don’t have this album in your vinyl collection, add it immediately and pair it with an absinthe cocktail that comes from a blender.