A collection of Anohni’s favourite songs
As much as we harp on experimentation and innovation being the golden crux of good music, it’s not exactly fair to say that you’re born with the innate ability to pull winning ideas out of thin air. Of course, inspiration comes from every angle of the musical world – and that’s none more so true than for Anohni of Anohni and The Johnsons.
Throughout her sonic journey, Anohni has dabbled in a multitude of genres, such as electronic, dance, and pop. Behind that is an equally diverse array of heroes and influences that helped shape this true artist along the way. Whether it be underground gems or some of the biggest singers of all time, Anohni’s musical taste is as iconic as it is eclectic, reflecting the fine pick of a cultured hand.
Starting with the names we all know and love, the first of Anohni’s favourites is the appropriately titled ‘Love’ by John Lennon. Alongside the Liverpudlian legend are a range of jazz icons in the form of Nina Simone, Etta James, and Jimmy Scott with their respective records ‘Funkier Than a Mosquito’s Tweeter’, ‘Anything To Say You’re Mine’, and ‘Exodus’. In the vein of Motown, there’s also Marvin Gaye with ‘Mercy Mercy Me’, which instantly demonstrates the amazing sonic tastes of Anohni.
Contrastingly, you can’t get much higher levels of avant-garde and art rock than Roxy Music and The Velvet Underground, but their songs ‘2 H B’ and ‘I’m Set Free’ make the cut. These are less surprising picks given Anohni’s own experimental style; with each band blazing through the underground scene, they were bound to be huge sonic influences.
Equally, you’ve also got Buffy Saint-Marie and her song ‘Orion’, which hails back to another pioneering performance artist that Anohni clearly reveres. With the notion of art and creativity at the front and centre of her favourite songs, it’s no wonder that she’s the type of experimental singer she is.
Leading on from this is a whole load of lesser-known but just as pertinent influences on Anohni’s work – everything from ‘The Horrors of Agony’ by Jack Smith to the gender-bending Princess Tinymeat with ‘Angels In Pain’. Above all, one thing is for certain: we are all the worse off for not exploring the legion of experimental and underground music that is out there.
The mainstream has its place, but in the alternative, there’s something untapped and even better.
Anohni’s favourite songs:
- Jimmy Scott – ‘Exodus’
- Divine – ‘Native Love’
- Diamnda Galas – ‘Were You There When They Crucified My Lord’ (From The Singer)
- Roxy Music – ‘2 H B’
- Jack Smith – ‘The Horrors Of Agony’ (*not on Spotify)
- Zayne – ‘It’s You’
- Nina Simone – ‘Funkier Than A Mosquito’s Tweeter’
- Naked Kiss – ‘Children’s Song’ (*not on Spotify)
- Savoy – ‘Shoot Your Load’ (*not on Spotify)
- Velvet Underground – ‘I’m Set Free’
- Julee Cruise – ‘Questions In A World Of Blue’
- Ennio Morricone – ‘Miserere’
- Marvin Gaye (Marc Rapson mix) – ‘Mercy Mercy Me’
- Buffy Saint-Marie – ‘Orion’
- Princess Tinymeat – ‘Angels In Pain’ (*not on Spotify)
- Miriam Makeba – ‘Killimanjaro’
- Hazel O’Connor – ‘8th Day’
- John Lennon – ‘Love’
- David Deporis – ‘Swan King In The Snow’
- Selda Bagcan – ‘Maden Dağı’
- Juliette Greco – ‘Bonjour Tristesse’
- Etta James – ‘Anything To Say You’re Mine’
- Serpentwithfeet feat. Nao – ‘Heart Storm’
