Track of the Moment

Sky Writing

September 2, 2010 1 Comment

The debut album from Sky Ferreira isn’t expected until January 11, but her label EMI has been introducing the Los Angeles-based singer/actress through a few singles since May.

First out was the angsty-teen themed “17,” and right now there’s the Ryan Tedder-produced “Obsession,” tacked on to the end of the just-out edition of Now That’s What I Call Music! (compilation #35, for anyone keeping track). The hard-driving electro pump of “Obsession” will fit quite nicely among the likes of Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Taio Cruz in the Top 10, though I’m a little sad that the song’s very-Gary Glitter beat and sports-fan chant decreases the chances that Allison Iraheta’s fantastic “Robot Love” (which officially samples Glitter’s “Rock and Roll Part 2”) will ever see a single release. (A pox upon your house, Ryan Tedder!)

Anyway it’s Ferreira’s single in between (picked as her European debut) that I find most deserving of a shout-out. “One” was produced by Bloodshy & Avant (probably best known for Britney Spears’ “Toxic” and as two thirds of Miike Snow) who Ferreira boldly emailed back in 2006 after putting some demos up on MySpace. The guys responded with an invitation for her to come to Sweden, and they’ve since written and recorded half of Ferreira’s forthcoming album with her and are also serving as the project’s executive producers.

While I hope “Obsession” does well for Ferreira (though I entirely agree with her refreshingly candid assessment), I much prefer the minimalism of “One.” The repetition of both words and sounds allows the song to sink in on first spin, and the airy production is a striking shift away from today’s typically densely packed tracks. The synths bring to mind Patrick Leonard’s work for True Blue-era Madonna, which may not be a conscious reference since Bloodyshy & Avant have worked with her too, co-writing and co-producing “Like It Or Not” and “How High” for 2005’s Confessions on a Dance Floor. I particularly like the playful high-pitched embellishment that pops up now and again in “One.” Hear here:

Though the U.S. skipped right past “One,” I’m guessing EMI plans a promotional push here for the song around the release of Ferreira’s album. The date, after all, is “1-1-1-1-1.”

And here’s the official video for “One,” which I was unable to embed, in case you’d like to take a look. The clip was shot by famed fashion photographer, Rankin.

Purchase Sky Ferreira – “One” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.