In 2022, David Longstreth, the frontman of Dirty Projectors, debuted a song cycle titled Song of the Earth at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany. This ambitious composition, crafted for the chamber orchestra Stargaze, was later performed in prestigious venues including Amsterdam’s Muziekgebouw, London’s Barbican Hall, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
Throughout this journey, Longstreth continually refined the piece—rewriting and rearranging—culminating in its recording across the Netherlands, Los Angeles, and New York. He has officially announced the release of the Song of the Earth album, set to launch on April 4.
The album resonates with themes from Gustav Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde. Longstreth highlighted this connection, stating that his work is infused with the emotions and contradictions present in Mahler’s composition. Drawing further inspiration from journalist David Wallace-Wells’ 2019 book The Uninhabitable Earth, Longstreth incorporates the book’s opening paragraph into a new song, which he describes humorously as a “Beavis-and-Butthead version” of his cycle.
Reflecting on the creative process amid the backdrop of California’s wildfires, Longstreth noted the surreal nature of the album’s themes manifesting in his personal life. "Today, I woke up to thick, smoky air. The Eaton fire in Altadena has increased to 2,227 acres overnight. My brother received evacuation orders, but he is safe," he shared.
Describing "Uninhabitable Earth, Paragraph One," Longstreth remarked on its darker, funnier tone, embodying a kind of Gen-X fatalism. He emphasized that while Song of the Earth comprises serene landscape portrayals and nature poetry, this particular piece stands out as an anthem relevant to current events.
Longstreth reflected on the poignant connection to Haile Selassie’s historic address to the United Nations, noting that the weight of such profound words inspired him to turn them into song. The album promises to tackle pressing themes while engaging listeners through its unique blend of humor and urgency.