Anohni is one of the stars to grace the cover of Dazed’s spring/summer issue. In an in-depth interview, the singer discusses her boycott of the Oscars, publicly embracing the name ‘Anohni’, how to use music to confront the problems in the world, and what subculture means today. She also looks back on her 25-year-long career and history in New York’s club scene, discussing how these things made her the person she is today.

Here, Anohni expands on that theme, selecting a handful of songs that have influenced both her music and her worldview. The selections range from Nina Simone’s heartrending “Everything Must Change” to Eddie Cochran’s nostalgic ballad “I Remember”, to Meng & Ecker’s transgressive synth-punk song “Golden Showers”.

NINA SIMONE — “EVERYTHING MUST CHANGE”

“Time hurts.”

EDDIE COCHRAN — “I REMEMBER”

“One of my father’s favourite songs.”

LAURIE ANDERSON — “O SUPERMAN (FOR MASSENET)”

“She could see clearly.”

MENG & ECKER — “GOLDEN SHOWERS”

“Punk could be anything.”

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MARC AND THE MAMBAS — “UNTITLED”

“He kept feeling, in the face of detractors.”

DIAMANDA GALÁS — “PANOPTIKON”

“It wasn’t easy.”

COCTEAU TWINS — “THE SPANGLE MAKER”

“Joy was close by.”

KLAUS NOMI — “SAMSON AND DELILAH”

“He dared to aspire.”

YAZOO — “NOBODY’S DIARY”

“It was the first time I cried at hearing a song.”

NINA SIMONE — “DAMBALA”

“What does moral authority sound like?”

WILLIAM BASINSKI — “D|P 1.1”

“A bed for my heart and soul.”

OTIS REDDING — “THESE ARMS OF MINE”

“Love.”

Hopelessness is released May 6 via Rough Trade Records