Kim Gordon, a big part of the indomitable force that is Sonic Youth, returns to the forefront with her new solo album, The Collective. Following the critically acclaimed release of her debut solo album, No Home Record (2019), Gordon continues to push the boundaries of sonic (pun intended) exploration on this sophomore effort.

Recorded against the backdrop of her native Los Angeles, The Collective is more proof of Gordon's aggressive creativity and her willingness to push songs as far as they can go, and then a little bit farther. Teaming up once again with producer Justin Raisen, known for his work with a varied list of artists including Lil Yachty, John Cale, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Gordon creates something here that sounds familiar but also defies categorization.

At the heart of The Collective lies Gordon's trademark blend of intuitive word collages and hooky mantras. Against Raisen's backdrop of damaged, blown-out dub and trap constructions, Gordon conjures a range of emotions – from the chaos of modern existence to the allure of escapism. Reflecting on the inspiration behind the album, Gordon speaks to the tumultuous nature of the world around her. "On this record, I wanted to express the absolute craziness I feel around me right now," she explains. "This is a moment when nobody really knows what truth is, when facts don’t necessarily sway people, when everyone has their own side, creating a general sense of paranoia."

In response to this uncertainty, Gordon seeks solace in the act of creation – embracing the unknown and daring to venture into uncharted territory. "To soothe, to dream, escape with drugs, TV shows, shopping, the internet, everything is easy, smooth, convenient, branded," she muses. "It made me want to disrupt, to follow something unknown, maybe even to fail."

If you are new to the Kim Gordon party, don't miss her 2015 New York Times bestseller, Girl In A Band: A Memoir.