Antony and the Johnsons – Hope There’s Someone

The second single taken of Antony’s succesful album “I am a bird now”. ‘Hope There’s Someone’ is the opening track of the album, it’s a very sensitive ballad. The mood is intimate, sacred almost, which is enhanced by the lyrical content (“Hope there’s someone who’ll take care of me when I die, when I go”). Antony’s typical falsetto voice, trembling and shaking from emotion, is accompanied by soothing piano sounds. Towards the end there is a sudden climax, in which Antony is hammering on the black and white keys, while his voice breaks out in a loud mourning. This song was one of the highlights at Antony’s concert in Paradiso (Amsterdam) yesterday.

This single release also includes 2 new songs: “Frankenstein” and “Just One Star”, which are previously unreleased outtakes from the “I Am A Bird Now” sessions. Both songs continue in a tranquil, emotional manner, just timeless ballads. Especially ‘Frankenstein’ is nice, with a tasteful accompaniment by the Johnsons (strings, guitar, drums, backing vocals). It is followed by the sober and intimate ‘Just one star’, which is over before you know it.
Furthermore the CD-single also contains a video for “Hope there’s Someone”, directed by Glen Fogel. The video (and the cover art) features Joey Gabriel, apparently a New York legend. The dreamy images portray her lying in bed, torn by emotions.

artist: Antony and the Johnsons
label: Secretly Canadian
details: 3 tracks, 2005 CDEP/12