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Jan 26, 2016 Issue # 56 - Best of 2015 - Father John Misty and Wolf Alice By JR Moores

A sequel to 2007's wryly-titled Yes, I'm a Witch, this latest batch of remixes and collaborations sees various trendy youngsters modify Yoko Ono's compositions with refreshing, if not entirely radical, results.

Discarding the dark, lively funk of the original "Walking on Thin Ice," Danny Tanaglia brings Ono's melancholic lyrics to the fore, draping her voice in symphonic synth. Tinkling the ivories, Sparks minimise "Give Me Something" in a similar fashion, although the Mael brothers' inherent theatricality retains the piece's playful ferocity.

In contrast, Jack Douglas's "Move On Fast" rocks out for four stomping minutes, whereas Death Cab For Cutie prove surprisingly adept at making "Forgive Me My Love" more club-friendly by decorating it with Moby-ish disco beats. Professional electro-popper Penguin Prison's "She Gets Down on Her Knees" is even more danceable, while Dave Audé's thumping "Wouldnit" can only be described as a veritable Ono banger.

The first Witch instalment featured Peaches, Le Tigre, and Cat Power. This time, tUnE-yArDs, Ebony Bones, and Cibo Matto provide the three most interesting re-creations. Given the strength of their contributions, and the fact that Ono remains such an inspiration to so many experimental female musicians, it's a shame that more women weren't invited. It would've been wonderful to hear how Jenny Hval, Helena Hauff, Holly Herndon, or Gazelle Twin might have drastically transformed Ono's work, to name but a handful. (www.imaginepeace.com)

Author rating: 6/10