St. Vincent's classics

Annie Clark is one of the most exciting musicians working today. As a songwriter she’s jumped from indie balladry, to layered, ambitious sounds, and into spiky, angular territory. She shreds as a guitarist, and when Annie is not working on her own St Vincent songs, she’s producing for others.

It’s been about four years since her last record, and in that time Annie has been through some personal stuff as well. Her father, who was incarcerated a decade ago just as her star was rising, got out of prison. And that release fed into the album she would make. Annie gravitated towards the records she had grown up listening to – her dad’s collection – and what emerged was a far looser, more slinky, more sleazy album.

It’s called Daddy’s Home. It sounds like the records that came out of early '70s New York City, and on the day it was released, St Vincent joined me to Take 5. From Steely Dan to Erykah Badu, this is an insight not just into Annie’s latest incarnation, but her incredible creative mind.

Nina Simone – 'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood'

Steely Dan – 'Any Major Dude Will Tell You'

Kate NV – 'Plans'

PJ Harvey – 'A Perfect Day Elise'

Erykah Badu – 'On & On'