Antony and the Johnsons

How can one man's tragic song sound so uplifting? Antony Hegarty, singer-songwriter and creative force behind Antony and the Johnsons, has made a career singing wistful songs. "Another World," the first single off his upcoming album, The Crying Light (due January 20), is no exception. (The song is also available on the band's SPIN-praised EP.) 

"I need another world, this one's nearly gone," Hegarty sings in a soft warble. The song's stark lyrics about our ailing planet, paired with its otherworldly production, might be emotionally overbearing if it weren't delivered in the singer's angelic voice, which brings a bright feeling to an otherwise stark song. Listen to the track below -- then tell us what you think.

Listen: Antony and the Johnsons, "Another World" (DOWNLOAD MP3)