Portishead’s Beth Gibbons sings lead vocals on a new song with Afghanistan’s the Miraculous Love Kids, “Atmosphere/Heroes,” which blends the Joy Division and David Bowie songs. The release marks two years since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, severely limiting women’s rights and freedoms. The young women in Miraculous Love Kids subsequently fled Kabul, Afghanistan, for Islamibad, Pakistan, with their families, forming the band alongside American musician and activist Lanny Cordola. Watch the video below.
Gibbons said in a press release, “I was so honoured to guest on the Miraculous Love Kids’ reconstructed cover track ‘Atmosphere/Heroes,’ and to be a voice next to these brave and beautiful girls of Afghanistan.”
Cordola says she first met Gibbons in Islamabad, “just days after the Taliban takeover. She confirmed her support and extended a generosity of spirit to the girls that was invaluable as she is truly one of the great voices in the world today.” Cordola added, “The words exemplify the plight of the harshly oppressed people of the world. In particular, the girls and women of Afghanistan, where the Miraculous Love Kids hail from.”