Ani Difranco - Binary

Ani DiFranco's 20th studio album Binary is focused on relationships and responsibility of human kind to oneanother.

"I always title a record from the song that seems to be at its core," Ani says. "An underlying theme in the songs, and in the feminism I want to engage society with, is the idea that autonomy is a fallacy-nothing exists except in relationship to something else. We are, in some senses individuals with individual liberties and unique powers, but that's only a surface story."

Binary includes the singles "Play God" and "Deferred Gratification," with rhythms held down by bassist Todd Sickafoose and drummer Terence Higgins and contributions from violinist Jenny Scheinman, keyboard wizard Ivan Neville, the legendary Maceo Parker, Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, and Gail Ann Dorsey. Mixed by Grammy-winning mixer Tchad Blake (The Black Keys, Sheryl Crow).

One of the first artists to create her own record label in 1990, Ani has been recognized among the feminist pantheon for her entrepreneurship, social activism, and outspoken political lyrics. At a time of global chaos and confusion, DiFranco is kicking ass and taking names, with a set of songs offering a wide range of perspective and musical scope.

She describes a moment during the writing of "Play God," an unblinking pro-choice battle cry, as a particular breakthrough. (A live version of the song was included in the anti-Trump "30 Days, 30 Songs" campaign alongside tracks from Death Cab for Cutie, Aimee Mann, Franz Ferdinand, and more.)

"When I wrote the line ‘You don't get to play god, man/I do,' I paused and thought, ‘Can I say that?,' " she says. "It's not the first time I've thought that, but it's been a while. And in that moment, I thought, ‘I'm back, mothafuckas!'"

 

Side 1

Binary

Pacifist’s Lament

Zizzing

Side 2

Play God

Alrighty

Telepathic

Even More

Side 3

Spider

Sasquatch

Terrifying Sight

Deferred Gratification

Side 4

Etching

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