Angel Olsen: 2016

On Angel Olsen’s latest album, My Woman, she poses a mighty question: “I dare you to understand what makes me a woman.” Over the arc of ten songs on My Woman, Olsen explores all angles of that query and does so with a palette that veers from plangent, edgy rock to rich, ‘70s-inspired soul, and quieter, folky tangents.

My Woman is a manifesto of Olsen's musical acumen and her perspective as a young artist exploring femininity and feminism. It's undoubtedly one of the strongest albums released in 2016.

The session in Studio A took place the morning after November's general election — and on this episode of FUV Live, Olsen and I not only discussed the results and their ramifications, but also the future, her long friendships, the idea of “image,” and her experience directing her own videos.

Angel Olsen is a fascinating woman whose knowledge of music — and who she is as an artist — is boundless.

Angel Olsen's touring band for this session: Joshua Jaeger (drums), Paul Sukeena (guitar), Luke Norton (guitar), and Emily Elhaj (bass). Not present: Heather McEntire (backing vocals).

[recorded: 11/9/16