Joan As Police Woman announces 'Real Life Evolution' album, releases intimate versions of 'Flushed Chest' and 'The Ride'

Renowned NYC artist Joan As Police Woman announces her new album “Real Life Evolution”, out June 12 via UK independent Reveal Records -- on CD, Limited Edition exclusive red marble vinyl and digitally. Exactly 20 years since releasing her much-loved debut album "Real Life", she has re-recorded and imagined the album in full with guests including Iggy Pop and Krystle Warren.

Joan Wasser, known professionally as Joan As Police Woman since 2004, is a critically acclaimed musician and producer, 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. She has released ten albums of original material, two cover albums, and an anthology.

Twenty years in the making, this record was developed through countless nights on stage. These new arrangements are brought to life by the musical brilliance of the players who helped define their sound. In order of appearance, it features contributions by Will Graefe, Jeremy Gustin, Tony Scherr, Parker Kindred, Danny Blume, Krystle Warren, Oren Bloedow, Thomas Bartlett and Iggy Pop.

Now Joan As Police Woman is releasing 'Real Life Evolution' versions of two of the tracks from this album -- 'Flushed Chest', which was recorded at Hayyam Studios in Istanbul by Ceylan Akcar and Sinan Sakizli, and 'The Ride' was recorded at The Owl Music Parlor in Brooklyn by Adam Sachs.

'Flushed Chest (Real Life Evolution version)' is the latest video offering from 'The Real Life Anniversary Sessions', accompanied by Will Graefe and Jeremy Gustinand filmed by Ehud Lazin, following her powerful, stripped-down video performance of 'Anyone'.

"I wrote 'Flushed Chest' shortly after I read “Time’s Arrow” by Martin Amis. It’s the story of a life, Jeff’s life, told in backwards chronological order. I wrote this one when I was in a period of intense listening to The Wailers; Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh and Bob Marley, one of the greatest bands of all time. This song works well with the trio so we didn’t stray far from the original recording. Singing the 3-part harmonies with Will and Jeremy is a delight." says Joan Wasser. 

"'Real Life Evolution' is ten reimagined versions of every song from the original 'Real Life' album. Some transformations are subtle. Others are seismic. All of them were made with an entirely new cast of collaborators.”

Joan As Police Woman is a sought-after collaborator who has recorded and/ or 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, David Sylvian, Steve Jansen and Damon Albarn (who duetted with Joan on her song 'Get My Bearings' and invited her to feature on the Gorillaz album 'Song Machine'). She also a member of Iggy Pop's touring band (on keys and vocals).

“Music has saved my life. I am a devotee. It’s not something I can even choose or not choose, it’s just what it is. The album Real Life holds the key to my whole life. At the time I felt compelled to get it all into one record because I couldn’t imagine a world where I’d make another," says Joan Wasser.

"Now, twenty years later (and twelve albums into my career), the dream continues to unfold. I still live to play music. The shared experience of a concert is a constant reminder of our common humanity. 'Real Life; was the spark that lit my calling as a solo artist and I’m truly excited to revisit all the songs that mean so much to me and lovers of 'Real Life'.”

As of March 31, 'Flushed Chest' and 'The Ride' are available digitally everywhere. The 'Real Life Evolution' album is out on June 12th on vinyl, CD and digitally. It can be pre-ordered via Bandcamp.

With her forthcoming Real Life 20th Anniversary Tour, Joan brings exclusive trio shows, performing the 'Real Life' album in full, along with key singles from across her catalogue, fan favourites, deep cuts, reworked covers and a few surprises!   She next performs a small handful of shows in New York City at Joe's Pub.  All tickets can be ordered at www.joanaspolicewoman.com/tour or https://linktr.ee/japw.

CREDITS
Lyrics & Music written by Joan Wasser
Published by Fists of Fury (BMI / Domino Publishing)
Produced by Joan Wasser
Mixed by Patrick Dillett at Reservoir Studios
Mastered by Chris Gehringer at Sterling Sound
Joan Wasser - vocals, piano on 'The Ride' & 'Flushed Chest'
Will Graefe - guitar & vocals on 'The Ride';  guitars & vocals on 'Flushed Chest'
Jeremy Gustin - drums & vocals on 'The Ride'; vocals on 'Flushed Chest'
Parker Kindred - drums & vocals on 'Flushed Chest'
'The Ride' recorded by Adam Sachs live at The Owl Music Parlor, Brooklyn, NYC
Ehud Lazin - videographer for 'The Ride'
'Flushed Chest' recorded by Ceylan Akcar & Sinan Sakizli at Hayyam Studios, Istanbul
Assisted by Ilker Cicek and Tolga Kurt
Album cover photo & artist photos by Judi Rosen
P & (C) 2026 Sweet Police LLC under exclusive licence to Reveal Records
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

NEW YORK LIVE DATES
JUNE 20  New York, NY, USA, 7pm  - Joe's Pub (SOLD OUT)
JUNE 20  New York, NY, USA, 9pm  - Joe's Pub (SOLD OUT)
JUNE 21  New York, NY, USA, 6pm  - Joe's Pub

REAL LIFE ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2026
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

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