Today, Jill Barber released the video for “Girl’s Gotta Do,” the lead single from her upcoming album Metaphora (out June 22 via Outside Music.)
“Girl’s Gotta Do” premiered at CBC’s Q, and debuted at #1 on Apple Music Canada’s Singer-Songwriter Chart. Barber calls the song a “challenge to the patriarchal status quo as we usher in a new era of equality.”
The video debuted at PopMatters, who write, “If the women’s movement of the 21st century — whether it’s #MeToo or #TimesUp — needed a hashtag theme song to carry its message, this versatile vocalist who can handle jazz, pop, blues, folk and rock ‘n’ roll on any given night, delivers it with genre-fender-bender style.”
It was directed by Juno Award-winning director Christopher Mills, whose work includes videos for Modest Mouse (“Float On,”) Leonard Cohen (“Leaving The Table,”) and Broken Social Scene (“Stars and Sons.”)
Watch the video for “Girl’s Gotta Do”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1je6cNWW_8
A bold entrée into the world of contemporary pop music, Metaphora reveals a Jill Barber we’ve never heard before. Metaphora showcases her power and vulnerability as both an artist and a woman. Evolving over the course of many albums from folk to jazz, R&B and pop, Jill’s success is defined not by genre, but by her undeniable songwriting chops and distinctive voice. Metaphora is a continuation of Barber’s musical story that confidently tackles everything from issues of empowerment, sexual politics, the complications of love, and depression. It’s introspective and personal. It’s also a dance party.
Mutual friendships and living on the same street led Jill to sit down with Ryan Guldemond, the enigmatic lead singer of Mother Mother, for inspiration and creativity. Ryan’s commitment to Jill and unwavering enthusiasm garnered co-writing credits on four of the nine songs onMetaphora, including the instantly catchy lead single, “Girl’s Gotta Do,” a hook-filled and very timely call to arms that aims to “challenge the patriarchal status quo, as we usher in a new era of equality,” says Barber. “Writing with Ryan was a big departure for me, and very exciting. He’s extremely creative and not afraid to push my creative boundaries,” recalls Barber. “The sessions became part songwriting and part therapy because I was writing about things that felt pretty raw; politics, sexism, being a mother. I started to realize that this was going to be a very different kind of album for me. I had more that I needed to say and Ryan helped bring that out with his uncanny knack for melody and song structure.”
Metaphora’s opening track “The Woman” generates a sense of anticipation with its pounding bass drum, an urgent heartbeat for what is next to come from the fearless multi-Juno nominated performer. “It’s a song about how a woman is required to be everything to everyone, but may still be a mystery to her own self,” shares Barber. “She is part of nature, but also has a nature of her own, ever-changing and elusive.” On “Bigger Than You,” Barber explores a personal experience that she hopes may inspire others to take a stand against tactics like power plays, bullying, and manipulation. “Mercy” is a striking piano ballad Barber wrote for anyone who battles daily with their inner critic or wrestles with the beast of depression. “Hooked Your Heart,” “Clumsy Heart,” “Cage Without A Key,” “Love Is,” and “Hold On” round outMetaphora.
On the advice of trusted friends, Jill reached out to producer Gus Van Go(Whitehorse, Arkells, Terra Lightfoot), who immediately took on the project and began to craft a complete vision for Metaphora. They recorded at Van Go’s studio in Brooklyn, NY, with creative partner Werner F and multi-platinum Grammy nominated producers Chris Soper and Jesse Singer, collectively known as Likeminds, who perform all the drums, piano and analogue synths on the album. Additional tracks were recorded and produced by Gavin Brown and Maia Davies at Toronto’s Noble Street Studios.
On Metaphora, Jill Barber bursts back onto the stage with a bold and daring offering of music, confidently executed with the style and grace of a woman who knows exactly what she’s doing.
Jill Barber North American Tour Dates:
6/18 – Winnipeg, MB – Winnipeg Jazz Festival
7/6 – Montreal, QC – Jazz Festival Theatre Masionneuve w/ Leslie Odom Jr.
8/4 – Kalso Bay Park, BC – Kaslo International Jazz Festival
9/22 Chicago, IL – Schubas
9/24 New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall
9/25 New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall
9/26 – Boston, MA – Regatta Bar
9/28 – Ottowa, ON – Ottawa National Arts Centre Theatre
10/9 – Fredericton, NB – Playhouse Theatre
10/11 -Charlottetown, PEI – Confederation Centre
10/12 Truro, NS – Marigold Theatre
10/13 Halifax, NS- Rebecca Cohn Theatre
10/16 -Toronto, ON – Roy Thomson Hall
10/19 – London, OT – Aeolian Hall
10/20 – London, OT – Aeolian Hall
10/25 Saskatoon, SK – Broadway Theatre
10/26 – Edmonton, AB – Triffo Theatre
10/27 – Calgary, AB – Bella Concert Hall
11/1 – Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre
11/3 – Victoria, BC – Capital Ballroom
Metaphora Tracklisting:
The Woman
Girl’s Gotta Do
Hooked Your Heart
Bigger Than You
Mercy
Clumsy Heart
Cage Without A Key
Love Is
Hold On