Hannah Georgas & Matt Berninger (The National) duet on ‘Pray It Away’

Single release: Out now
More info: Hannah Georgas’ website

In September, Toronto’s Hannah Georgas released her latest LP, the Aaron Dessner-produced All That Emotion on Dessner’s label Brassland (Bartees Strange, Buke & Gase) and Toronto indie stalwart Arts & Crafts. The album was the best-received entry in her career to date, earning a wave of positive attention from outlets like The Guardian who called the album “magisterial pop for introverts,” Mojo, Uncut, Observer, Sunday Times Culture, Pitchfork, Clash, The Line of Best Fit, NPR, The New York Times, FADER, Stereogum, Gold Flake Paint, Secret Meeting, among many others. Today, Georgas is sharing a new version of a track from her album that she co-wrote with Dessner called “Pray It Away,” performed as a duet with The National frontman Matt Berninger.

NME today says his contribution “adds some lush vocals and a new depth to the song.” Read their interview with Hannah Georgas here.

LISTEN to Hannah Georgas – “Pray It Away” (Ft. Matt Berninger) on YouTube.

The collaboration was born from the friendship Georgas and Berninger developed when Georgas joined The National’s touring band when they were on the road in support of their album I Am Easy To Find last year, though it did not come together until this summer. On the track, which concerns living with the prejudice within families, Berninger’s brooding baritone provides a perfect compliment to the Georgas calm tones that unwind over Dessner’s softly glowing synthesizers.

“In a lot of ways, All That Emotion is a personal record,” Georgas explains, “but Pray It Away ended up being very collaborative. I co-wrote the song with my producer Aaron Dessner, who sent me an instrumental during the time I was writing and demoing.

A close friend of mine inspired the lyrics. She told me over dinner one night that a family member didn’t want to attend her wedding because she was marrying a woman. I wrote the song the next day using the chord progression from Aaron’s demo. It was upsetting to see my friend go through what she was dealing with at a time where she should have been celebrating.

While Aaron and I were recording this song together, he mentioned it could be really great to ask Matt Berninger to sing on it. Ironically, it wasn’t until the pandemic hit when we were actually able to follow through with this idea, together. It’s so lovely it all worked out and we were able to make it happen in the end.”

The song plays on the themes of cultural polarization that seem to be ripping apart our politics, our families, and our world. Says Georgas of the track “Whether it’s ideology, gender norms, homophobia, racism, sexism, or your dreams and ambitions in life…I hope this song brings comfort to those who have felt they have been dismissed for who they truly are. I hope it poses questions about what faith is about, exactly, and how it can tear us apart at moments where we should be celebrating togetherness.”

Berninger also says: “This song is one of my favorites off Hannah’s new record, so I begged Hannah to let me sing it with her. Turns out sometimes prayers are answered.

Hannah Georgas – Pray It Away (Ft. Matt Berninger) artwork
Download hi-res image HERE

Praise for Hannah Georgas’ new album All That Emotion

“harmful behavior, repetitive arguments, suppressed secrets…precise melancholy” — MOJO

“[Aaron Dessner’s] immersive production, including layered keyboards and twinkling harmonics, pairs perfectly with her elegant voice” — UNCUT

“Produced by the National’s Aaron Dessner, the Canadian songwriter’s latest [Just A Phase] recalls that band’s latter-day best—but her day-dreamy lyrics dovetail beautifully with the soft, cascading production.” — The Guardian

“Someone who has plenty of worth to impart.” – The Observer

“Extraordinary” – The Sunday Times Culture

“A bold voice, her unremitting honesty makes Hannah Georgas a challenging but utterly absorbing figure.” – Clash

“Dreams” is subtle and beautiful – Gold Flake Paint

Album of The Week – The Line of Best Fit

“More accomplished and confident than ever.” – Secret Meeting

“With soft guitar tones and an even gentler singer voice [Georgas] turns “That Emotion
” into her own fortune cookie slip of truth, doling out comforting advice like a new generation’s Feist.” – Consequence of Sound

“…immediately arresting.” – NPR

The introspective Canadian singer-songwriter’s stately fourth album evokes an atmosphere of quiet loveliness.”
Pitchfork

“‘That Emotion’ is a meditation that subtly hints at that feeling of emotions starting to pile up and surface…Georgas’ voice is certainly the highlight, a calming force even as she considers a more disoriented headspace”
Stereogum

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