“And what lies under, now”: Overpaintings in Joanna Newsom’s Sapokanikan
<p>Like any artistic masterpiece, Joanna Newsom’s album <em>Divers</em> continues to reward each reading and re-reading. Each time I go back, I see it in a new light, or peel another layer of the onion. As we wait patiently (or try to) for what seems like a new album on the horizon, I thought I’d jot down some thoughts.</p>
<p>I’ve shared a few ideas in other places about <em>Divers</em>, and I’ve highlighted a few moments where Newsom layers many meanings into the same word. Probably the crispest example comes in the word “<a href="https://medium.com/p/9b26e5c131cf" rel="noopener">undarked</a>” and its wide range of meaning, but I’ve mentioned <a href="https://medium.com/@hexagn/just-plain-vamoose-unidentified-falling-objects-in-joanna-newsoms-goose-eggs-f0e5f9d62dc1" rel="noopener">others</a>, <a href="https://medium.com/@hexagn/joanna-newsom-make-hay-meaning-explained-part2-2efb3a8bb1cd" rel="noopener">too</a>. She’s a master of polysemy.</p>
<h1>“Sapokanikan”</h1>
<p>In May 2016, when Dave Eggers asked her about her song-writing process, Newsom shed a little light on her approach.</p>
<p><a href="https://medium.com/@hexagn/and-what-lies-under-now-overpaintings-in-joanna-newsoms-sapokanikan-395f8c1af2d4"><strong>Read More</strong></a></p>