From the first moments of its exultant opening track “Wolves,” Hurray For The Riff Raff’s new album “Life on Earth” pulsates with life. Led by the unsinkable Alynda Mariposa Segarra, Hurray for the Riff Raff’s first full-length project in four years overflows with wisdom on how to make the most of, well, refer to the title. Segarra’s powerful voice perfectly complements the band’s undulating melodies, creating what the artist has called “nature punk.” But so much of the album’s power lies in the simple honesty and beauty of Segarra’s lyricism. As they repeat over an echoing, dissonant piano in the chorus of the title track: “Life on Earth is long.” As the song builds and their mantra seeps in, listening to the album feels less like recreation than prayer. “Life On Earth” is the longest thing we’ll ever do.
Alynda Seggara, who describes the song as “a psalm to all earthly beings. A letter regarding the suffering of humankind which affects all on this planet.”
“Life on Earth”, is a departure for the Bronx-born, New Orleans-based singer / songwriter. Its eleven new “nature punk” tracks on the theme of survival are music for a world in flux – songs about thriving, not just surviving, while disaster is happening.
For her eighth full-length album, Segarra (they/she) drew inspiration from The Clash, Beverly Glenn-Copeland, Bad Bunny, and the author of Emergent Strategy, Adrienne Maree Brown. Recorded during the pandemic, “Life on Earth” was produced by Brad Cook (Waxahatchee, Bon Iver, Kevin Morby).
The title track Hurray for the Riff Raff’s debut album, ‘LIFE ON EARTH,’ out now on Nonesuch Records
The Fat Angel Sings 