US-born, Norwegian-Mexican artist and producer Carmen Villain (aka Carmen Hillestad) shares a new single, “Subtle Bodies,” from her forthcoming album, Only Love From Now On (Smalltown Supersound) February 25th), and in addition, presents a second version of the song by Huerco S. Only Love From Now On showcases Villain’s aesthetic blossoming into something unexpected, benevolent in its composure and altogether luxuriant in its sensuality. In turn, “Subtle Bodies” begins with minimalistic instrumentation, blooming with finely rich layers. Just like how lead single, “Gestures,” refers to Hannah  Wilke’s video piece of the same name, “Subtle Bodies” pays tribute to the performance/sculpture of Ana Mendieta, who Hillestad responded deeply to in that artist’s rage, protest, and love for nature in connection to the female body.

“I found Ana Mendieta’s work deeply moving in many ways, in an emotional sense but also in the way she fully immersed herself into her art, connecting her humanity, strength, rage, and vulnerability with nature,” says Villain. “It’s a deeply layered immersion. I had her, and especially her ‘Silueta’ series, in mind when I made ‘Subtle Bodies.’ Making music is for me about a complete immersion into sound, a continuous conversation between an idea and what comes back to me from what develops sonically. While I certainly consider Mendieta’s work and what she was communicating was far more important than what I do, she continues to be a big inspiration in many ways.”

Of the Huerco S version, Villain elaborates: “I have been a big fan of Brian’s work for a good while. He’s got an impeccable approach to sound and texture and communicates a lot with his music I think. So I was very happy he was into doing a version for me when I asked him. I asked him to choose whichever track he wanted from the album, and he went for Subtle Bodies. The result is deep and fizzy, I love it.”