Emerging from Newcastle and making waves in South-East London, Imogen and the Knife is rapidly becoming a name to watch in the alternative pop scene. Today marks the release of ‘Mother of God’ (listen here), her debut single, accompanied by a visually arresting video. This track is the first glimpse of a forthcoming collection slated for release later in 2024.
Introduced to the world on Lauren Laverne’s BBC 6 Music Breakfast show, ‘Mother of God’ delves into a haunting recurring dream experienced by Imogen during a tumultuous phase of her life. The song, a collaboration with Will Lister and Alex Parish, balances between moments of introspection and dynamic instrumentals, encapsulating Imogen’s talent for storytelling and emotive vocal prowess.
Imogen shares insight into the creation of the track: “The images were already there: the boat-shaped house, the knife with my initials on it, the mosaic of faces. ‘Mother of God! This can’t be the only one’ is a waking realisation that unless addressed, the dream, and the pain, won’t leave. Which is apt because after it was written, the recurring dream at least, did.”
The song’s video, a collaboration with Harv Frost, draws inspiration from 1920s surrealist cinema, employing innovative lighting and visual techniques to convey a sense of unease. “Imogen is one of those artists that can say so much with her eyes, so I wanted to make them the star of this video,” Harv explains. “I’m very excited for this era of Imogen’s creative expression, and can’t wait for more.”
Imogen’s artistic influence stretches from Kate Bush to Nick Cave, creating a rich tapestry of sound that is both intriguing and distinctly her own. The Knife, more than a mere moniker, symbolises a reclamation of agency and a sharpness in her lyrical delivery that leaves a lasting impression.
Beyond her music, Imogen is a vocal advocate for the rights of artists, especially those living with disabilities. Her stage presence, described as entrancing, will soon be showcased live with a band at The Lexington in London on 2nd May, heralding the start of an exciting new chapter in her career.
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