# Ignore Grief

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2023 studio album by Xiu Xiu

Ignore Grief Studio album by Xiu Xiu Released March 3, 2023 (2023-03-03) Studio Nurse (Los Angeles) Genre Experimental industrial modern classical music Length 42:14 Label Polyvinyl Producer Angela Seo Xiu Xiu chronology Oh No (2021) Ignore Grief (2023) 13" Frank Beltrame Italian Stiletto with Bison Horn Grips (2024) Singles from Ignore Grief "Maybae Baeby" Released: January 12, 2023 "Pahrump" Released: February 15, 2023

***Ignore Grief*** is the thirteenth studio album by American [experimental](/source/Experimental_music) band [Xiu Xiu](/source/Xiu_Xiu), released on March 3, 2023, by [Polyvinyl](/source/Polyvinyl_Record_Co.). It was written by band leader [Jamie Stewart](/source/Jamie_Stewart_(American_musician)) and new member [David Kendrick](/source/David_Kendrick), formerly the drummer of [Devo](/source/Devo_(band)). It was produced by fellow member [Angela Seo](/source/Angela_Seo), and recorded by Stewart at their home studio in Los Angeles, alongside a wide array of guest musicians including [Charlie Looker](/source/Charlie_Looker), Ben Chisholm, Ezra Buchla, Patrick Shiroishi and Ian Wellman. The album artwork was designed by Janelle Abad, and depicts a white bat over a black background.

*Ignore Grief* is a departure from the band's previous album, more in line with the sounds and themes seen in *[Girl with Basket of Fruit](/source/Girl_with_Basket_of_Fruit)* (2019). It mainly features a sound that embodies [experimental](/source/Experimental_music), [industrial](/source/Industrial_music), and [modern classical music](/source/Contemporary_classical_music). Instrumentally, it incorporates orchestral instrumentation including violins, [violas](/source/Viola), [cellos](/source/Cello), [double bass](/source/Double_bass), flutes and piano, in addition to the electronic percussion and synthesizers typically used by the band, as well as a variety of other instruments, including, [gongs](/source/Gong), [double reed flute](/source/Double_reed) and [found objects](/source/Found_object). Its lyrical content explores life's horrors and human tragedy, dealing with prostitution, [sex trafficking](/source/Sex_trafficking), murder, [cults](/source/Cult) and [substance abuse](/source/Substance_abuse), through two halves, one inspired by real stories, and the other one by imaginary ones, sang each by Seo and Stewart.

The first single, "Maybae Baeby" was released on January 12, 2023,[1] followed by "Pahrump" on February 15.[2]

## Background

*Ignore Grief* was announced on January 12, 2023, via the band's social media platforms. Regarding the lead single, frontrunner [Jamie Stewart](/source/Jamie_Stewart_(American_musician)) said: "In 'Maybae Baeby,' the singer's viewpoint is of a young person hiding in a fantastical conversation with a tarantula in order to escape a physically abusive parent". The album also marks the first project to feature contributions from new member [David Kendrick](/source/David_Kendrick).[3][4][5]

## Composition

### Musical style and influences

*Ignore Grief* departs from the band's previous album, more in line with the sounds and themes seen in *[Girl with Basket of Fruit](/source/Girl_with_Basket_of_Fruit)* (2019). It has been described by the band as an [experimental](/source/Experimental_music), [industrial](/source/Industrial_music), and [modern classical music](/source/Contemporary_classical_music) album.[5]

### Lyrics and themes

*Ignore Grief* is a two-part album with one half depicting the suffering of five people connected to the band, and the other depicting imaginary stories. Lyrically, the album deals with said suffering, and acts as an "[abstract](/source/Abstract_art) exploration of the early [rock and roll](/source/Rock_and_roll) '[Teen Tragedy](/source/Teenage_tragedy_song)' genre", through themes such as [prostitution](/source/Prostitution), [sex trafficking](/source/Sex_trafficking), [murder](/source/Murder), [cults](/source/Cult) and [substance abuse](/source/Substance_abuse). The imaginary songs are written as a way to offer levity to the band, due to the heaviness of the themes discussed. With the "aesthetic examination" of these issues, the band aspires "to see if there is any way to come out the other side or if there is even any reason. In either case there may not be but to simply turn away would be yet a further act of destruction".[5]

## Reception

### Critical

Professional ratings Aggregate scores Source Rating AnyDecentMusic? 68/100[6] Metacritic 80/100[7] Review scores Source Rating AllMusic [8] Beats Per Minute 80%[9] Clash 9/10[10] The Line of Best Fit 6/10[11] Slant Magazine [12] Sputnikmusic 3.5/5[13] Under the Radar 7/10[14]

*Ignore Grief* received generally favourable reviews from critics. At [Metacritic](/source/Metacritic), which assigns a [normalised](/source/Standard_score) rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received a score of 80, based on 7 reviews.[7]

## Track listing

Ignore Grief track listing No. Title Length 1. "The Real Chaos Cha Cha Cha" 5:18 2. "666 Photos of Nothing" 3:52 3. "Esquerita, Little Richard" 3:34 4. "Maybae Baeby" 3:30 5. "Tarsier, Tarsier, Tarsier, Tarsier" 4:24 6. "Pahrump" 4:22 7. "Border Factory" 3:01 8. "Dracula Parrot, Moon Moth" 3:07 9. "Brothel Creeper" 2:58 10. "For M." 8:18 Total length: 42:14

## Personnel

Credits adapted from Polyvinyl.[5]

**Xiu Xiu**

- [Jamie Stewart](/source/Jamie_Stewart_(American_musician)) – vocals, synthesizers, [harmonium](/source/Harmonium), percussion, electronic percussion, [double reed](/source/Double_reed) flute, found objects, recording, arrangement

- [Angela Seo](/source/Angela_Seo) – vocals, piano, gongs, no-input mixer, percussion, [production](/source/Record_producer)

- [David Kendrick](/source/David_Kendrick) – percussion, drums

**Additional musicians**

- [Charlie Looker](/source/Charlie_Looker) – choral vocals

- Ben Chisholm – synthesizer, piano, electronic percussion

- Ezra Buchla – viola

- Patrick Shiroishi – saxophones

- Ian Wellman – [field recordings](/source/Field_recording)

- Andrea Kopecká – violins

- Radka Navrátilová – violins

- Katrina Musilová – violas

- Marie Vlčková – violas

- Martina Čermáková – cellos

- Jiřina Hájková – cellos

- Pavel Kučera – [double bass](/source/Double_bass)

- Jitka Kašparová – flutes

- Marika Nováková – flutes

- Dominika Charvátová – [woodwinds](/source/Woodwind_instrument)

- Sára Štěpánová – woodwinds

- Pavlína Vlková – woodwinds

- Chris Dostál – [brass](/source/Brass_instrument)

- Katrina Lišková – brass

- David Zelenka – brass

**Technical**

- [Lawrence English](/source/Lawrence_English) – [mixing](/source/Audio_mixing_(recorded_music))

- Alan Douches – [mastering](/source/Mastering_(audio))

**Artwork**

- Janelle Abad – design

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Brodsky, Rachel (January 12, 2023). ["Xiu Xiu Share New Song "Maybae Baeby": Listen"](https://www.stereogum.com/2210247/xiu-xiu-maybae-baeby-ignore-grief/music/). *[Stereogum](/source/Stereogum)*. Retrieved January 12, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Brodsky, Rachel (February 15, 2023). ["Xiu Xiu Share New Song "Pahrump": Listen"](https://www.stereogum.com/2213934/xiu-xiu-pahrump/music/). *[Stereogum](/source/Stereogum)*. Retrieved February 15, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Xiu Xiu announce new album, Ignore Grief"](https://www.treblezine.com/xiu-xiu-announce-new-album-ignore-grief/). *Treblezine*. January 12, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Motorco_4-0)** ["XIU XIU"](https://motorcomusic.com/tc-speakers/xiu-xiu/). *Motorco Music Hall*. January 12, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Polyvinyl_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Polyvinyl_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Polyvinyl_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Polyvinyl_5-3) ["Xiu Xiu – Ignore Grief"](https://polyvinylrecords.com/product/ignore_grief). *Polyvinyl Records*. January 12, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ADM_6-0)** ["Ignore Grief by Xiu Xiu reviews"](http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/13571/Xiu-Xiu-Ignore-Grief.aspx). *AnyDecentMusic?*. Retrieved September 11, 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MC_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MC_7-1) ["Ignore Grief by Xiu Xiu Reviews and Tracks"](https://www.metacritic.com/music/ignore-grief/xiu-xiu). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*. Retrieved September 11, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-AllMusic_8-0)** Phares, Heather. ["Ignore Grief - Xiu Xiu | Songs, Reviews, Credits"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/ignore-grief-mw0003906037). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. Retrieved September 11, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BPM_9-0)** Wohlmacher, John (March 15, 2023). ["Xiu Xiu - Ignore Grief | Album Reviews"](https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-xiu-xiu-ignore-grief/). *[Beats Per Minute](/source/Beats_Per_Minute_(website))*. Retrieved September 11, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Clash_10-0)** Roseblade, Nick (March 2, 2023). ["Xiu Xiu - Ignore Grief Album Review"](https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/xiu-xiu-ignore-grief/). *[Clash](/source/Clash_(magazine))*. Retrieved September 11, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** v, Kyle (March 7, 2023). ["Ignore Grief is a warped and wicked entry in the Xiu Xiu catalogue"](https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/albums/xiu-xiu-ignore-grief-warped-wicked-entry). *[The Line of Best Fit](/source/The_Line_of_Best_Fit)*. Retrieved November 22, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Barrett, Fred (February 27, 2023). ["Healing the Traumatized Mind"](https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/xiu-xiu-ignore-grief-album-review/). *[Slant Magazine](/source/Slant_Magazine)*. Retrieved November 22, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Stanciu, Raul (March 3, 2023). ["Xiu Xiu - Ignore Grief"](https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/86423/Xiu-Xiu-Ignore-Grief/). *[Sputnikmusic](/source/Sputnikmusic)*. Retrieved November 22, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-UTR_14-0)** Willems, Jasper. ["Xiu Xiu: Ignore Grief Review"](https://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/ignore_grief_xiu_xiu). *[Under the Radar](/source/Under_the_Radar_(magazine))*. Retrieved September 11, 2023.

v t e Xiu Xiu Jamie Stewart Angela Seo David Kendrick Lauren Andrews Jherek Bischoff Yvonne Chen Cory McCulloch Caralee McElroy Sam Mickens Ches Smith Studio albums Knife Play (2002) A Promise (2003) Fabulous Muscles (2004) La Forêt (2005) The Air Force (2006) Women as Lovers (2008) Dear God, I Hate Myself (2010) Always (2012) Angel Guts: Red Classroom (2014) Forget (2017) Girl with Basket of Fruit (2019) Oh No (2021) Ignore Grief (2023) 13" Frank Beltrame Italian Stiletto with Bison Horn Grips (2024) Compilation albums Fag Patrol (2003) Xiu Mutha Fuckin' Xiu: Vol. 1 (2026) Live albums Life and Live (2005) Tribute albums Nina (2013) Plays the Music of Twin Peaks (2016) Eraserhead Xiu Xiu (2026) EPs Chapel of the Chimes (2002) Tu mi piaci (2006) Collaborations Ciautistico! Remixed & Covered ¿Spicchiology? Merzxiu Related articles Accordion Solo! Discography The Dead Science Former Ghosts

Authority control databases MusicBrainz release group

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ignore Grief](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignore_Grief) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignore_Grief?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.