Angel Olsen Details Collaborative ‘Cosmic Waves Volume 1’ Album

Angel Olsen took an innovative and collaborative approach to recording her upcoming album, Cosmic Waves Volume 1, which arrives on her somethingscosmic imprint on December 6. Olsen recorded new original songs by five different artists and covers of songs by those same artists.

Side A consists of Olsen-curated songs written by Poppy Jean Crawford, Coffin Prick, Sarah Grace White, Maxim Ludwig and Camp Saint Helene. Side B consists of Olsen’s covers of previously recorded songs by those musicians. Regarding the project, Olsen stated:

“As someone that emerged into the music scene through a small tape label, I’ve wanted to continue the spirit of discovery and of my debut release, Strange Cacti, while supporting and collaborating with artists and friends whose music I have been moved by. I feel there is something unique and special about covering another artist’s song.

“We all make it our own, or we try to, but I personally always learn something new about the process when I’m engaging someone else’s words and melodies in such a close way. It’s fun to write and make my own stuff, but listening to and putting myself into various different styles of songs can lead to new ways of thinking and creating.”

The album is the second release on somethingscosmic, which Olsen founded several years ago to facilitate, as she explained, “the flexibility to release when and how I want to with the help from my longtime partners at Jagjaguwar.”

Olsen previewed Cosmic Waves Volume 1 by sharing the opening track, the Poppy Jean Crawford-composed “Glamorous,” as well as the B-side cover of Crawford’s The Takeover.”

“I remember speaking with my good friend Angela Ricciardi about Poppy starring in the film , and was immediately transfixed by her overall vibe and ‘30s era beauty,” Olsen revealed. “But it wasn’t until later when Angela shared one of Poppy’s early demo grunge songs with me that I was blown away. Poppy gives me hope that guitar music will come back. She has such a powerful voice made for pop while also having this edge to her that, for me, communicates the kind of rage I can always relate to.”

Watch the visualizer for Angel Olsen’s recording of Poppy Jean Crawford’s “Glamorous” and Olsen’s cover of “The Takeover” below:

Cosmic Waves Volume 1 Tracklist

Side A

1. Glamorous – Poppy Jean Crawford
2. Blood – Coffin Prick
3. Ride – Sarah Grace White
4. Make Believe You Love Me – Maxim Ludwig
5. Wonder Now – Camp Saint Helene

Side B

6. The Takeover (Poppy Jean Crawford Cover) – Angel Olsen
7. Swimming (Coffin Prick Cover) – Angel Olsen
8. Sinkhole (Sarah Grace White Cover) – Angel Olsen
9. Born Too Blue (Maxim Ludwig Cover) – Angel Olsen
10. Farfisa Song (Camp Saint Helene Cover) – Angel Olsen