Oakland/Chicago musician Ezra Furman released his “not a concept album” concept album Transangelic Exodus in early 2018. As explained by Furman, “The narrative thread is I’m in love with an angel, and a government is after us, and we have to leave home because angels are illegal, as is harbouring angels. The term ‘transangelic’ refers to the fact people become angels because they grow wings. They have an operation, and they’re transformed. And it causes panic because some people think it’s contagious, or it should just be outlawed.” Our song of the day is the album’s early single “Love You So Bad,” a retro-glam rocker. For Transangelic Exodus, Furman’s backing band for his last two records, 2015’s Perpetual Motion People and 2013’s Day of the Dog, The Boy-Friends changed their name to The Visions, marking a change for the new record. Transangelic Exodus is out now on Bella Union.
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Host Emily Fox and KEXP’s editorial team talk with artists about the stories behind their songs and the experiences that inform their work. Through each conversation, we uncover the humanity behind the music, allowing us to hear it in a whole new way.
