Kevin Bronson on March 4th, 2015

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Singer-songwriter Vanessa Long —  aka Cillie Barnes — has been regrouping since her 2013 “Happy Valley” EP (with its magical single “Brainwash”), which was followed by some messy business dealings and a then trickle of singles. Her new song “Facework” —  recorded in Omaha with Saddle Creek stalwarts Nate Walcott and Mike Mogis —  is as unsettling stylistically as it is thematically. Over ominous synths and clattering rhythms, Barnes asks “How do you get through the night, old friend?” Of the song, which premiered on Noisey, she says: “I wrote ‘Facework’ when I didn’t know what else to write. … Cicadas, orange suns, long walks, late night hangs with new friends, were all woven into this tapestry, but ‘Facework’ specifically is about a time prior to this when I had felt betrayed. I don’t want to give too much away because I want everyone to have their own experience with the song, but it was nice to get this out. Cathartic and necessary to heal and move past. To grow and move forward.” The song is part of an EP, “Friendly Witch,” that’s due April 30.

||| Stream: “Facework”

Photo by Ilana Shulman