Danish pop-noir artist KILL J – aka Julie Aagaard – has been on our radar since the release of her haunting single ‘Strange Fruits Of The Water’ last year. That song now features on her debut album Superposition, which she released via Nettwerk Records last week. Working with UK producer Liam Howe (FKA Twigs, Lana del Rey, Ellie Goulding), Kill J has crafted a science-inspired record, laced with theatrics and her pitch perfect vocals. From her battle to quit smoking to the horrors of the migrant crisis and her personal loves and heartache, Superposition bursts with honesty and feeling.
We caught up with Kill J to talk about her “Five Favourites” – five albums that have influenced her own songwriting. Check out her choices below, and scroll down for a link to listen to Kill J’s album in full at the end of this post!
1. Björk – Biophilia
It’s no secret, that I am very attracted to and inspired by the dramatic, the theatrical and the naïve. And of course we need to talk about the queen of all galaxies. I love this album! ‘Crystalline’ is perfection! ‘Virus’ always makes me cry. This album is soul shattering. It’s pure and unfiltered and beautiful and it encapsulates all that I aspire to reach with my own music. Obviously she doesn’t give a fuck about form or convention. She lets it all dissolve – I guess I´m a bit more traditional in my own music. But I´m forever a disciple! I bow to the queen.
2. Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp a Butterfly
As an artist, I always find it so inspiring, when artists write from the heart about important societal issues. In my view, music is supposed to make us feel – but also think – and be a reflection of who we are and where we are. Of course we don´t all have to be activists and apart from the message of this album, I just think it is so well crafted.
It´s avant-garde but accessible and I love artist that know how to walk that thin line. This album actually gave me the courage to do an album around a concept that I thought was important.
3. Amanda Palmer – Who Killed Amanda Palmer?
The explosively and naivety of this record is so inspiring. I love how she punishes the piano. It is so unpolished and perfect!
4. Phil Collins – But Seriously
As a child I used to get in trouble for stealing my sisters records. This was my favorite one to steal. I didn’t understand English at the time, so I learned the whole record phonetically. It is a record that has drilled it´s way in to my soul and has deeply affected the way that I still write music. I love the simple melodies. I love the 80´s pop sound and the metal in his voice.
5. Mariah Carey – Music Box
Another Record I used to steal from my sister, and the reason for my childhood obsession with Mariah Carey. I was a chubby 10 year old with my ears pressed up against the CD player with Music Box on repeat, attempting ungracefully to reach the high notes with the diva, while my sister was banging on the walls in the next room yelling at me to shut up.
Listen to Kill J’s debut album Superposition on Spotify here.
Photo Credit: Morten Rygaard
Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut
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