Album: Lux Prima (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Yeah Yeah Yeahs lead singer Karen O and producer Brian Burton (Danger Mouse) initially discussed making a record together in 2008. They finally made a specific plan to do so in 2015, while Karen O was pregnant with her son. Following the birth, they went into the studio and wrote the album's nine tracks.
  • This extended symphonic space rocker is about being nowhere and everywhere at the same time. It was the first thing they came up with.

    "We went into the studio with zero ideas, a clean slate. Not a clue," Karen O told The Guardian. "Then the first thing we came out with somehow was this nine-minute, weird epic."
  • The song title translates as "first light." It serves as the introduction to Karen O and Danger Mouse's collaborative album.

    Danger Mouse explained: "With 'Lux Prima,' we were really looking for a place rather than a sound. It was our first shared destination so we thought we'd take our time getting there. The song itself is a bit of a journey, but all the parts felt like they needed each other."
  • Karen O was asked by Mojo magazine if Lux Prima is a concept album. She replied: "If anything, it's a backlash against the apocalyptic feeling of 2016 and 2017, over here in the States. Also, after having the experience of bringing a life into the world, I felt much more connected - to nature, to the meaning of life. There's also a reference to the goddess who brings life, and who takes life away, so it's not just about creation and love, it's also about loss."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Mark Arm of Mudhoney

Mark Arm of MudhoneySongwriter Interviews

When he was asked to write a song for the Singles soundtrack, Mark thought the Seattle grunge scene was already overblown, so that's what he wrote about.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions Answered

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions AnsweredSong Writing

10 Questions for the author of Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesSongwriter Interviews

"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.