The bones of Anne Dereaux's "Lil Baby" have been around a long time. The traditional folk song is probably most famous for its appearance on the O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack, but the sweet, sing-song melody and bittersweet message (a deserted cuckold decides his infant child is better off dead) have been covered across the folk music. But never like this.
For her own "Lil Baby," Dereaux enlisted the talents of New Zealand DJ Soraya La Pread, with P Money adding additional instrumentation. Synths twist and swirl around Dereaux's bright, cutting voice, and the song's inherently gentle sway acquires a jagged edge before Dereaux takes over with an original verse in the second half. It's another vivid, creative cut from the Nashville-born, L.A.-based songwriter/architectural designer.
"Lil Baby" follows on the heels of "Chop" and "mo(u)rning," all of which will be part of Anne Dereaux's Book of Lolita EP. It's out this Friday—get familiar with "Lil Baby" above.
