Sneaking in right at the end of 2024, we have a song and video that are right up there with the very best of the year. Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s “London May” is an incredibly compelling song, showcasing the sheer quality of Will Oldham’s songwriting. Originally written for a horror movie that musician and actor London May was involved in, called “Night of the Bastard”, the song’s unsettling notes and tense rhythms draw us into a brilliantly-crafted and moody narrative. Over the striking instrumental textures, the backing vocals from Brit Taylor are simply gorgeous and really lift the song, transforming its feel by the end. May and Oldham have been friends for decades and Oldham says, “I made up a song for him that combined some of the things I felt we shared. When David Ferguson and I were putting songs together for The Purple Bird sessions, I remembered the song I’d made for London’s film; I was performing it regularly live, and it didn’t feel quite complete… Ferg was game, and we tracked it. I’d long begun to want to hear other voices in the song. In the end, we roped in the phenomenal Kentucky-born singer Brit Taylor to sing harmonies and other supporting parts. Her voice is stellar to say the least.”
The Sai Selvarajan-directed video is genuinely artful and inventive. Starring London May himself, it’s very much a visual representation of the song’s atmosphere with lighting and images reinforcing the sinister tone giving way to something lighter. Selverajan says of the video, “This song is so beautifully constructed in that it starts off moody and dark and gives way to optimism. I really wanted the visuals to depict that. I took a lot of things I love and threw them into the creative cauldron. From breakdancing to skateboarding to mid-century modern architecture to 35mm slide projectors.”
“London May” will appear on “The Purple Bird”, the forthcoming album from Bonnie “Prince” Billy. Due on January 31st 2025, it promises to be an early contender for next year’s best album.
