Song of the Day: Ms. John Soda - Hero Whales

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, is “Hero Whales” by Ms. John Soda from the 2015 album Loom on Morr Music.

Ms. John Soda - Hero Whales (MP3)

Rising out of the glitchy electro-pop The Notwist made popular in the 90's, German duo Ms. John Soda, fronted by Stefanie Böhm (Couch) and supported by Micha Archer (of the aforementioned group The Notwist), turned out a softer side of blissful laptop twee with their 2002 debut, No P. or D.. Since then, the music has poured rather slowly, with the next Ms. John Soda LP to follow three years later and the next in nearly a decade, and somewhat more darkly. If this year's release, Loom, seems a bit more brooding than the initial LP, that's only because it's wiser with age. Shuttling the lessons learned in her lifetime, Böhm weaves hopes, desires, experiences and practical reality throughout Loom's ten songs, which are at various times intricate, airy, punchy, and wandering. On "Hero Whales", Böhm's breathy vocals remain the album's constant thread as she adulates her inspirations in this beaming melody.

It might be a little while before Ms. John Soda threads through your town, as they're not currently touring, but be sure to friend them on Facebook to keep up with any forthcoming plans. For now, enjoy this throwback to their 2002 debut: