Cold Specks is the stage name of Somali Canadian singer-songwriter Ladan Hussein, who was previously known as Al Spx. Her music has been described as doom-soul. The name Cold Specks is taken from a line in James Joyce's Ulysses ("Born all in the dark wormy earth, cold specks of fire, evil lights shining in the darkness.").
She released her debut album, I Predict a Graceful Expulsion, on May 21, 2012, on Mute Records and Arts & Crafts in Canada.Jayson Greene, "Cold Specks: I Predict a Graceful Expulsion". Pitchfork, May 1, 2012. The album was a short-listed nominee for the 2012 Polaris Music Prize.Jordan Zivitz, "Cold Speck: A soul singer by any name". Montreal Gazette, August 15, 2012.
Her second album, Neuroplasticity, was released on August 26, 2014.Sadiya Ansari, "Polaris-nominated Cold Specks back with second album". CTV News, August 25, 2014. It featured trumpet playing by Ambrose Akinmusire and backing vocals from Michael Gira of Swans, was supported in part by selected dates opening for Sufjan Stevens on his Carrie & Lowell Tour, and was long-listed for the 2015 Polaris Music Prize.Alex Hudson, "Polaris Music Prize Announces 2015 Long List". Exclaim!, June 16, 2015. Her third album, Fool's Paradise, followed in 2017.Carly Lewis, "Cold Specks is just warming up". The Globe and Mail, January 10, 2018.
Following Fool's Paradise, Hussein suffered a mental-health breakdown and underwent several months of treatment at Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, where she was diagnosed with schizophrenia.Sarah Murphy, "Cold Specks' Ladan Hussein Opens Up About Living with Schizophrenia". Exclaim!, May 9, 2019. In 2025 she released Light for the Midnight, her first full-length album since her health issues.Richie Assaly, "After a harrowing spiral into darkness, Toronto singer Cold Specks returns with breathtaking comeback album". Toronto Star, April 11, 2025. It was long-listed for the 2025 Polaris Music Prize.
Albums
2012: I Predict a Graceful Expulsion #86 CAN 2014: Neuroplasticity 2017: Fool's Paradise 2025: Light for the Midnight
Singles 2011: "Holland" 2012: "Winter Solstice" 2012: "Blank Maps" 2012: "Hector" 2014: "Absisto" 2015: "Bodies at Bay" 2017: "Fool's Paradise" 2024: "Wandering in the Wild"
Awards and nominations
Year Association Category Nominated work Result2012 2012 Polaris Music Prize Polaris Music PrizeI Predict a Graceful Expulsion 2013SiriusXM Indies Awards Artist of the YearCold Specks Female Artist of the Year Songwriter of the Year Soul/R&B Artist or Group of the Year
References
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