Sun

Sun is the ninth studio album by Cat Power (Chan Marshall), released in 2012 after a six-year hiatus from original songwriting. Marking a significant departure from her 'Queen of Sadcore' reputation, the album was entirely self-produced and largely self-played, recorded over several years in various locations including Malibu, Miami, and Paris. Marshall famously financed the recording herself, leading to a sound that is fiercely independent and technologically adventurous. The record replaces her traditional guitar and piano arrangements with synthesizers, drum machines, and sophisticated vocal looping. Critics noted the influence of contemporary electronic music and a newfound 'pop' sensibility, though the lyrics remain deeply personal and existential. The inclusion of Iggy Pop on the centerpiece 'Nothin but Time' serves as a bridge to her rock influences while the overall aesthetic aligns more with the art-pop of the 2010s. It remains her highest-charting album to date.