French Vanilla Confront Heteronormativity, Have a Blast Doing It with New Single “Lost Power”

“Lost Power,” the latest track from art-punk band French Vanilla, laments losing oneself in a “heteronormative and visible relationship,” and the struggle that comes with the ensuing identity crisis. A bit wordy, sure, but luckily, it’s also a pogo-ing blast of punk-rock energy and singer Sally Spitz’s infectious hooks, so even those a little muddled on the message can have a blast. A complementing clip full of traditional animation, stop-motion and trippy visuals seals the deal.

The third single from the group’s forthcoming album How Am I Not Myself? (I Heart Huckabees, anyone?), “Lost Power” follows previous singles “Suddenly” and “All the Time.” The album, due for release June 7 via Danger Collective, sounds like a similar blend of heady social concepts and music to move to, not dissimilar to St. Vincent’s MASSEDUCTION. Incidentally, How Am I Not Myself? is produced and engineered by Sean Cook, who also has engineering credits on Annie Clark’s 2017 standout. Coincidence? We think not.

A press release makes it clearer just what the band is aiming for:

This album sees French Vanilla entertaining and challenging its audience with a seamless fusion of creativity and progressive concepts born of lived experience. Through soaring and addictively catchy vocals, Spitz explores the fears and freedoms of major life upheavals, the drag of gender bias in the creative landscape, and the struggle to psychically survive a sexist and heteronormative society. Ultimately, in How Am I Not Myself?, French Vanilla showcases its expansive capacity to generate infectiously danceable tunes while tackling the complexities of identity, imagination and voice from a marginalized perspective.

Watch the videos for “Lost Power,” “Suddenly” and “All the Time” below, then check out the dates for French Vanilla’s summer tour.

French Vanilla Tour Dates:

June
07 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ Zebulon (Album Release Show)

July
05 – Chicago, Ill. @ Empty Bottle *
06 – Detroit, Mich. @ Deluxx Fluxx *
08 – Toronto, Ont. @ Monarch *
09 – Montreal, Qué @ Casa del Popolo *
10 – Boston, Mass. @ Great Scott *
12 – Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Rough Trade *
13 – Philadelphia, Pa. @ PhilaMOCA *
15 – Washington, District of Columbia @ Comet Ping Pong *
16 – Durham, N.C. @ The Pinhook *
17 – Atlanta, Ga. @ The Earl *
19 – New Orleans, La. @ Gasa Gasa *
20 – Houston, Texas @ The Satellite *
21 – Austin, Texas @ Mohawk *
22 – Dallas, Texas @ Regal Room *
25 – Phoenix, Ariz. @ Valley Bar *
26 – San Diego, Calif @ Soda Bar *
27 – Los Angeles, Calif @ Bootleg Theatre *
28 – San Francisco, Calif. @ Cafe du Nord *
30 – Portland, Ore. @ Mississippi Studios *
31 – Seattle, Wash. @ Barboza *

August
01 – Vancouver, B.C. @ Biltmore Cabaret *
02 – Spokane, Wash. @ Lucky You Lounge *
03 – Boise, Idaho @ Neurolux *
05 – Salt Lake City, Utah @ Kilby Court *
06 – Denver, Colo. @ Larimer Lounge *
07 – Omaha, Neb. @ Reverb *
09 – Minneapolis, Minn. @ 7th Street Entry *
10 – Milwaukee, Wis. @ Colectivo Coffee *

(* – w/ Stef Chura)