With 2023 quickly winding down, Sir Chloe’s Dana Foote could easily be forgiven for taking the remaining months to rest on her laurels after releasing her buzzing debut album I Am the Dog and opening shows for Phoenix and Beck and alt-J and Portugal. The Man—in addition to playing a slew of headlining gigs—over the past few months. Yet she returned this past Friday with yet another stunning single, as the brand new “Home Where” exhibits the project’s softer, less fuzzed-out side in lieu of more refined production details (well, at least until the blown-out, grungy chorus).
To get a better sense of what inspired the track, Foote took the time to compile a playlist of some recent favorite tracks that likely found their way into the finished recording, ranging from the playful art-pop of Kishi Bashi, to the whimsical duets of Frank and Nancy Sinatra, to a recent rediscovery of Dido. Though nothing on the playlist quite matches the mounting intensity of “Home Where,” Foote’s ear for nuance when discussing each track indicates that inspiration is hardly superficial for Sir Chloe.
Check out her playlist and writeups, as well as the new single, below.
Dido, “Slide”
I’ve been listening to Dido’s No Angel regularly since May. I’m rediscovering Dido as an adult and appreciating the muscle and dark intensity her music has. “Slide” is my favorite song on the record. I find the melody of the hook to be quite graceful, with a two-word chorus. I particularly appreciate the way she stretches the monosyllabic “slide” over four notes during the hook.
Caroline Rose, “Everywhere I Go I Bring the Rain”
I saw Caroline Rose serendipitously back in May when she was playing a venue in Manchester the night before we were. I hadn’t previously heard of her, but my bassist Emma was going to the show and I tagged along. I really believe the best way to discover a new band or artist is by seeing them live. She created a wonderful sense of intimacy in the room—we all cried together, laughed together, and danced together. She’s the kind of performer who makes you feel close to her and the people around you. This song is one of my favorites on her new record. I particularly like the bridge.
Kishi Bashi, “Am I the Antichrist to You?”
Recently I watched Rick and Morty all the way through again in preparation for the seventh season premiere. There aren’t many syncs in the show, but the songs they have chosen are quite moving, in my opinion. “Am I the Antichrist to You?” is featured in season five. It started to make my chest hurt in the first 10 seconds, where layers of pizzicato strings open the song. The sound is lush, sensitive, and provides a hollow feeling I associate specifically with late Autumn.
Richard Hawley, “Tonight”
The record this song lives on, Coles Corner, has been one of my favorites in recent years. I come back to it often, and I never tire of the songs. I have a soft spot for lyrical repetition. I like the idea of writing a line one likes so much they say it a seemingly infinite number of times. This song is warm and romantic, the lyrics pondering what to do this coming night without any sense of urgency.
Elliott Smith, “I Didn’t Understand”
This is one of my favorite Elliott Smith songs. I like the choral arrangement—it puts the focus on the words and melody without the competition of an instrumental arrangement. This song in particular reminds me of songs from the musicians strike in 1942, where instrumentalists in recordings were replaced by vocalists. As a result most of the music recorded between 1942 and 1944 was somber choral pieces. Smith has a beautiful, sensitive voice which, when layered over itself, creates a wonderful mournful texture.
Tom Waits, “Dog Door”
I admire the brevity in Tom Waits’ lyrics. He says a great deal with just a few words. The falsetto he uses in this song sounds to me like it could be coming from Neil Young’s evil brother.
Os Tincoãs, “Cordeiro De Nanã”
I don’t know much about this band beyond that they’re from Brazil and were primarily active between the ’60’s and ’70s. This particular song caught my ear (I can’t remember how I happened upon it) because of the vocal arrangement and the joyful intensity of the sound. I feel lighter when I listen to it.
Jon Batiste, “CRY”
I believe my uncle showed me this one. I get much of my favorite music from him; most of our texts are sending songs back and forth. I like the clarity of Jon Batiste’s voice, and I really enjoy the way the melodies in the song convey the same desperation of his words.
Frank & Nancy Sinatra, “Somethin’ Stupid”
This song is beautiful, the words describe being clumsily romantic. I like the band’s arrangement in this one. It feels whimsical and carefree, in direct opposition to the lyrics. I’m particularly touched that Frank and Nancy Sinatra sing this together.
Bee Gees, “Love You Inside Out”
This is my favorite Bee Gees song. I love the Bee Gees.
