He’s already got a new album on the way, but now Beck has stunned us all by releasing his surprise new EP, the Paisley Park Sessions.
This time last month, Beck was gearing up to announce that his forthcoming new album, Hyperspace, would be arriving on November 22nd.
Of course, with the musical chameleon having spent most of the last two years on tour, many would have been wondering just how on Earth he managed to find the time to hit the studio and record a new album.
Well, the questions have been raised once again, with Beck today sharing a surprise EP recorded at Prince’s iconic Paisley Park Studios.
Opened in 1987, Paisley Park Studios are to Prince fans what Graceland is to Elvis fans. The home and studio of the late great Purple One, its name is as iconic as the records that were recorded there – something that was not lost on Beck.
Check out Behind The Paisley Park Sessions:
“I’ve heard the name since I was a child, of Paisley Park,” the artist explained in a special behind-the-scenes video. “It’s special to be here and see it in person.
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“Every studio has its own life to it, kind of special energy. It felt very creative. I didn’t have any expectations of what I wanted to happen, it was just kind of coming in here and seeing where it took us, and it was surprising.”
Featuring just three songs, the new EP was seemingly recorded while Beck was donned in purple outfits, and features versions of ‘Where It’s At’, ‘Up All Night’, and a Prince medley that includes covers of tunes like ‘Kiss’, ‘1999’, and ‘Raspberry Beret’, the latter of which has made appearances during his live sets previously.
“It’s impossible to pick a cover of Prince,” Beck said of his take on the icon’s tunes. “He’s a big influence for me, an inspiration.”
While Hyperspace is due for widespread release on November 22nd, the Paisley Park Sessions are available now as an exclusive through Amazon Music.
Check out the Paisley Park Sessions by Beck:
