Charlotte Gainsburg and Beck create new online single

Posted to Arts and Entertainment by Maura Howard at 7:38 p.m., Oct. 12, 2009

Though perhaps an unlikely collaboration, French artist, Charlotte Gainsburg and legendary L.A. musician, Beck’s new single, “IRM” proves Gainsburg knew what she was doing when she recruited Beck to work on her latest album IRM, which is set to release in January 2010. With just the right balance of each musician’s offbeat and eccentric music styles, their fresh new single will leave the listener only wanting more.

The duo worked together on the album for a year and a half with Beck producing the entire album, composing all the music and even co-writing the lyrics.

“IRM” is musically laced with Beck, mirroring his bouncy approach to a song’s construction and catchy arrangement of instrumentals. However, it is not until the very end of the song that you finally hear the Modern Guilt man’s voice harmonizing in the background coupled with some ear-pounding percussion and Gainsburg own softer sounding vocals.

Gainsburg said that the song “IRM” was inspired by the brain hemorrhage she suffered two years ago after a waterskiing accient-- IRM is French for MRI.

"I had to do so many MRIs and every time I was in that tube I was thinking it would make great music," she says, referencing the song's stuttering, machine-like rhythm.

The peculiar lyrics easily reflect the story behind the song: “take a pictures/what’s inside,” Gainsburg sings.

Apparently Gainsburg’s test results turned out fine, as did this song. The single is available free for download now on Gainburg’s website. Go check it out-- it’s free!