Sonic Youth legend Kim Gordon is no stranger to both forming, and criticising, mainstream culture. Having dominated the rock world since the early 80s, the musician and artist has now released a new song titled “Murdered Out”. Produced by Justin Raisen (who has worked with former Dazed cover star Sky Ferreira) and featuring Warpaint’s Stella Mozgawa, the textured, bass-driven track sees Gordon’s vocals ring out loud and clear over with fuzzy guitars.

“Murdered out of my heart / Covered in black matte spray / Will you see when I'm not there? Black matte spray”, she sings. The track alludes to the low-rider culture of LA, with Gordon’s references to ‘black matte’ being a way of rejecting society and being yourself. 

In a statement released with the single, Gordon explains the meaning of the song and its artwork (a blacked-out car with Gordon standing next to it, her face etched out) as “a reclaiming of a corporate symbol of American success, The Car, from an outsider’s point of view. A statement-making rejection of the shiny brand new look, the idea of a new start, the promise of power, and the freedom on the open road. Like an option on a voting ballot, ‘none of the above’.”

Listen to the new track and read Gordon’s full statement below.

When I moved back to LA, I noticed more and more cars painted with black matte spray, tinted windows, blackened logos, and black wheels. This was something I had occasionally seen in the past, part of lowrider car culture. A reclaiming of a corporate symbol of American success, The Car, from an outsider’s point of view. A statement-making rejection of the shiny brand new look, the idea of a new start, the promise of power, and the freedom on the open road. Like an option on a voting ballot, "none of the above.”

“Murdered Out," as a look, is now creeping into mainstream culture as a design trend. A coffee brand. A clothing line. A nailpolish color.

Black-on-black matte is the ultimate expression in digging out, getting rid of, purging the soul. Like a black hole, the supreme inward look, a culture collapsing in on itself, the outsider as an unwilling participant as the “It" look.

I met the uber talented Justin Raisen, the producer, offhandedly. He was working on a project with another artist and kept sending me tracks to listen to with the possibility of getting me to sing on one of them. When I learned I could make up my own lyrics, I was in. With the remaining bits of unused vocals, he started what would be "Murdered Out." Stella Mozgawa (Warpaint) plays drums, based on the trashy drums that Justin first laid down. I went back and did more vocals and guitar and we mixed it…"Murdered Out" was such a great surprise! Looking forward to our next collaboration.

— Kim Gordon