A beautiful but chilling single by the American singer-songwriter heralding her upcoming album New Radiations, out on 15 August via Bella Union and Sacred Bones Records. Nadler says: “Hatchet Man is about a sinister character bringing a woman home—not for romance, but to murder her—while the narrator, his partner, is made to witness it unfold. Ultimately, the storyteller escapes, adrenaline flooding her veins. The sweet, lilting melody of the chorus offers a stark contrast to the verses, where much of the tale is told. I enjoy twisting narratives, subverting tropes, and playing with perspective in my songs. The rest of the details are all in the song.”
The accompanying self-directed video was made using “cut-out shadow figures, everyday objects, liquid light show techniques and self-shot footage—much of it projected through the soft glow of an old overhead projector,” Nadler explains. “I wanted to create a surreal, crimson space for the song and its characters to live in, to tell the story without being too illustrative.” This builds on the previous video for “New Radiations” that was also self-directed by Nadler.
To explore and enjoy more by Marissa Nadler - including the title track of the album, see also the other embedded links below.
The angel made a duet
And he made me watch
He thought no one would notice
Her go on
I’ve been watching Alice
Doesn’t live here anymore
He said he meant no malice
As his shadow crossed the floor
I wasn’t over my head
I wasn’t over my head
You couldn’t make love me only
Would’ve been better just to live with loneliness
And oh, all of this
Oh, all of this
And as He let me go He said
He knew I’d not forget Him
Could’ve been you instead
I’m glad I didn’t let him
The outline of my hatchet man
Is backlit in the door
I wish I could have saved her
As the engines roar
I wasn’t over my head
I wasn’t over my head
You couldn’t make love me only
Would’ve been better just to live with loneliness
And oh, all of this
I wasn’t over my head
I wasn’t over my head
Couldn’t make them love me only
Would’ve been better just to live with loneliness
And oh, all of this
Oh, all of this
Oh, all of this
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