Star songcraftsman David Byrne, who released a beautiful and underrated album with Brian Eno (Everything That Happens Will Happen Today) in 2008, is readying a release with none other than Fatboy Slim. In the introduction of Here Lies Love, Byrne says:

“The story I am interested in is about asking what drives a powerful person—what makes them tick? How do they make and then remake themselves? I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be great if—as this piece would be principally composed of clubby dance music—one could experience it in a club setting? Could one bring a ‘story’ and a kind of theater to the disco? Was that possible? If so, wouldn’t that be [pretty much] amazing!”

The result of this interesting little plot-bunny — a story fit for the opera, translated to the dance floor? A concept album about the life of the first Lady of the Phillipines, Imelda Marcos. You can read more about her story here.

The album’s first single, “Please Don’t” features vocals by Santigold and has been given away for free. That’s right, free David Byrne, Fatboy Slim and Santigold all in one. Here Lies Love is to be released 23 February 2010 on Todomundo/Nonesuch Records and will feature vocal contributions by Florence + The Machine, St. Vincent, Tori Amos, Cyndi Lauper, Róisín Murphy, Sharon Jones, Sia, and of course, Santigold.

Read on to listen to “Please Don’t” and for the full tracklist: Continue reading →