Me and The Devil, originally written and performed by Robert Leeroy Johnson in 1937, has had several reincarnations over the last 80 years. Most notable Gil Scott Heron released his version on the album "I'm New Here", released 2010. 

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This single was recorded, performed, arranged and sung by Alice XY (Alice Smith). All organ and synth parts adapted and played by Alice. 

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Mastering by Rob Small. 

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Artwork by Serena Porino 

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Video taken from archive.org, Wellcome collection and NASA. 

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Although different to what AXY will be releasing throughout 2018 (a more ritualistic Scandinavian ambient Gothic sound), this release has both personal meaning and lyrical parallels with her own work. Mirrored in "The Devil's Haven", a poem from her book Manie Sans Delire, the idea of hidden shadows in the form of a hidden Mr Hyde character in each one of us hints at a realistic analysis on what it is to be human, and what makes up a human. We are plagued by our own dark passenger; they walk side by side and consume us without a moment's hesitation. 

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"Driving basslines are ominous in rhythm, sanguine in melody and saturated with rich, warm sub-bass content. Vocals are thick and fervent and lyrics sing of a deal with the devil; a bittersweet concept of wild gain at the expense of ultimate sacrifice; it is a metaphor I would use to describe this track's over-arching moods.

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Brooding, minimal in arrangement and complex in emotion, it feels like reaching catharsis through acceptance of doom."

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Jake Harding, Round Creative.