Anohni And The Johnsons – My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross

Anohni and the Johnsons‘ “My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross,” released on July 7, 2023, isn’t a mere album, it’s a portal. Stepping into its vintage soul soundscapes feels like entering a dimly lit speakeasy where history murmurs through cracked vinyl and smoke-soaked voices. Yet, this isn’t nostalgia, it’s urgency. Anohni’s hauntingly beautiful vocals weave tales of pain and perseverance, lamenting the sacrifices made for progress, particularly by queer and marginalized communities. The bridge in the title isn’t a physical structure, but a metaphor for those who paved the way with their broken backs, allowing others to step over and into a brighter future.

Each song ripples with emotion, echoing with gospel choirs and simmering horns. “You Be Free” mourns the loss of trans elders, their wisdom a bridge now crossed forever. “Why Am I Alive Now?” wrestles with survival in a world teetering on the brink, while “Invisibilility” confronts the erasure of those deemed unseen and unheard. Yet, amidst the grief and anger, threads of hope glimmer. “I’m in Love” blooms with an unexpected tenderness, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

“My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross” isn’t an easy listen, but it’s a necessary one. It’s a sonic tapestry woven from heartbreak and defiance, a stark reminder of the burdens borne and the bridges crossed for a future we hold in our hands. It’s a call to action, an invitation to step onto the shoulders of those who came before us and continue building, not with blind optimism, but with the fire of remembrance and the knowledge that every scar can become a map leading to a more just tomorrow.