Yeasayer, ‘Henrietta’ – Song Review

Brooklyn's Yeasayer became critical darlings with 2010's 'Odd Blood,' but they haven't released much since then -- until yesterday's inscrutable tweet, an enigmatic splash page, and, a new "dubbed-out pseudo-science-fiction" track.

As Spin has the take, the track is named for Henrietta Lacks, a woman who, after her death, changed innumerable lives. Scientists used her immortal cell line to do research toward the polio vaccine and other medical breakthroughs, thus giving the track it's cryptic-mystic chorus of "Oh, Henrietta / We can live forever."

A gigantic synth line begins with song with a dub-esoterica vibe, and vocalist Chris Keating adds to the necrophiliatrics, asking to be buried and laid cold on a bed. The first verse ends with a promise that "death's not the end." (Ever nodded your head to a love letter to the deceased? Probably.) The postmortem paean shifts gears halfway as the basslines float away -- and a heavily delayed chorus builds up into a spacey seance.

According to We All Want Someone to Shout For, the band sent out physical CDs of the song to the members of its mailing list. That is one epic genetic immortal ghost giveaway. Hopefully the rest of the album will be able to cure diseases, too.

Give the song a listen. It could change your life -- and maybe your death, too.

Listen to Yeasayer, 'Henrietta'