Joan As Police Woman Shares Christobel Ahead of 20th Anniversary Album

Iconic NYC artist Joan As Police Woman presents ‘Christobel’, one of the joyous highlights of her new ‘Real Life Evolution’ album, released via UK label Reveal Records. The track captures her gift for transforming emotional complexity into something both exuberant and deeply human, setting the tone for an album that revisits and reimagines the sounds of her remarkable career.

Joan Wasser, known as Joan As Police Woman since 2004, is a critically acclaimed musician and producer, and a sought-after collaborator, dubbed “the coolest woman in pop” (The Times) and “one of the 21st century’s best musicians” (The Economist). As a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, her music defies easy categorization, crafting her own sound that blends various genres.

 

Accompanied by Jeremy Gustin on drums and Will Graefeon guitar and vocals, the ‘Real Life Anniversary Sessions)’ video was recorded by Adam Sachs at The Owl Music Parlor in Brooklyn and filmed by Ehud Lazin.

 

“I wrote this song shortly after I learned to play guitar. I performed it like the original recording for some years before I felt it could use an arrangement that didn’t feel so weighty. The lyrics are heavy on their own,” explains Joan Wasser. 

“The song is in 4/4 so I decided the best way to shake it up would be to put it in a different meter – this time in 5/8. Five can really feel like a centrifical ellipse if executed well. The swirling, frenzied lyrics felt supported by this new minimal piano ostinato. With Will Graefe on guitar and Jeremy Gustin on drums, the song both floats and travels through tumultuous weather patterns of the heart. The song remains but is projected against brand new scenery.”

 

Unveiled exactly 20 years from her debut’s release, on this album, Joan As Police Woman has reimagined her ‘Real Life’ album with numerous guests. Through countless performances, these renditions are brought to life by the brilliance of the players who helped define their sound. The result is ten stunning tracks with varied flavours and collaborators.

 

“Songs live beyond their creators. Like us, they settle into themselves over time, finding their own equilibrium. That spirit is the pulse of this new album — ten reimagined versions of every song from the original ‘Real Life,” says Joan Wasser.

 

This follows ‘Feed The Light’ with the‘Real Life Anniversary Sessions’ video offering quite a different rendition. On the album, Joan plays Fender Rhodes, while the video finds her blissfully on bass guitar. Recorded by Danny Blume at Hidden Quarry Studios in Bearsville, NY, the album version involves long-term collaborators Thomas Bartlett (Rhodes bass) and Parker Kindred (drums and vocals).

 

Joan has also shared stripped-down trio-format versions of ‘Eternal Flame’,‘Flushed Chest‘,‘The Ride’,‘Anyone’ and ‘I Defy’, as well as the title track ‘Real Life’.

 

“Some transformations are subtle. Others are seismic. All of them were made with an entirely new cast of collaborators. Among them are two extraordinary vocalists. The inimitableIggy Pop — whose band I’ve had the privilege of touring with, playing keys and singing — recorded a stunning version of‘Save Me’while we were on the road in New Zealand. We had to work around the birds outside, who apparently had strong opinions about the session. Then there’s Krystle Warren, a true original and one of my favorite singers alive. Her voice is so deeply soulful that‘I Defy’ feels like it thoroughly enjoyed easily slipping into its brand new groove,” says Joan.

 

“From my current touring trio, Will Graefebrings his emotionally masterful guitar work and Jeremy Gustinhis remarkable rhythmic sensibility to several tracks. Parker Kindred’s inventive drum creations were the spark behind others. Thomas Bartlettunlocked a new dimension of the title track — honoring its original feeling while casting it in a warmer, amber light — and added Rhodes bass throughout. This album gave me the chance to reunite, decades on, with upright bassist Tony Scherr, guitarist Oren Bloedow, and funk bassist Danny Blume— musicians whose artistry has only deepened with time.”

 

Joan As Police Woman has released ten albums of original material, two cover albums, and an anthology. She has recorded and performed with hundreds of artists, including Afrobeat legend Tony Allen, Lou Reed, Anohni & The Johnsons, Meshell Ndegeocello, Rufus Wainwright, John Cale, David Byrne, Dave Okumu, Chris Dowd, Lau, Scissor Sisters, Sparklehorse, Beck, Laurie Anderson, Lloyd Cole, Afel Bocoum, Dave Gahan, Tanya Donelly, Damon Albarn and Gorillaz.

 

Joan has also announced February 2027 dates for her Real Life 20th Anniversary Tour, complimenting her November 2026 dates, bringing her to UK, Italy, Germany, France and The Netherlands. Performing her debut ‘Real Life’ album as a trio, shows will also include song from her catalogue, fan favourites, deep cuts and many surprises.

 

The ‘Real Life Evolution’ album is out everywhere digitally and on CD and Limited Edition exclusive red marble vinyl on Bandcamp. Tour tickets can be ordered at www.joanaspolicewoman.com/tour.

 

CREDITS
All songs written by Joan Wasser
Published by Fists of Fury (BMI / Domino Publishing),
except “I Defy” written by Joan Wasser & Anohni (Rebis Music (ASCAP))
Produced by Joan Wasser except “I Defy”, “We Don’t Own It” and “Feed The Light” produced by Joan Wasser & Parker Kindred
Mixed by Patrick Dillett at Reservoir Studios
Mastered by Chris Gehringer at Sterling Sound
Joan Wasser  – vocals, piano, Wurlitzer, strings
Krystle Warren – vocals
Will Graefe – acoustic guitar
Jeremy Gustin – drums, vocals
Oren Bloedow – electric guitar
Danny Blume – electric bass
Parker Kindred – drums
Tony Scherr – upright bass
Krystal Warren – vocals on ‘I Defy’
Iggy Pop – vocals on ‘Save Me’
Album package concept, design & photos by Judi Rosen
(p) & (c) 2026 Sweet Police LLC under exclusive licence to Reveal Records
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

 

ALBUM TRACK LIST
1. Anyone (Real Life Evolution version)
2. Flushed Chest (Real Life Evolution version)
3. The Ride (Real Life Evolution version)
4. I Defy feat. Krystle Warren (Real Life Evolution version)
5. Feed The Light (Real Life Evolution Version)
6. Christobel (Real Life Evolution version)
7. Save Me feat. Iggy Pop (Real Life Evolution version)
8. We Don’t Own It (Real Life Evolution version)
9. Eternal Flame (Real Life Evolution version)
10.Real Life (Real Life Evolution version)

 

REAL LIFE ANNIVERSARY TOUR
NOV 5  London, UK – Union Chapel
NOV 6  London, UK – Union Chapel
NOV 7  Manchester, UK – RNCM (Royal Northern College of Music)
NOV 9   Glasgow, UK – Oran Mor
NOV 11  Brugge, Belgium – Cactus Club
NOV 12  Amsterdam, Netherlands – Zonnehuis (sold out)
NOV 13  Hamburg, Germany – Mojo Club
NOV 15  Aarhus, Denmark – Train
NOV 16  Copenhagen, Denmark – DR Concert Hall
NOV 18  Budapest, Hungary – House of Music Hungary
NOV 20  Roma, Italy – Angelo Mai
NOV 22  Berlin, Germany – Haus des Rundfunks & Großer Sendesaal