Laying themself bare, 'Family Ties' is a compassionate and deeply personal new track by Mykki Blanco, featuring guest vocals by the legendary Michael Stipe (of REM fame). The first taster of a new project, set to arrive later this year sees Blanco showing their vulnerability, explaining: “‘Family Ties’ is the first song where I sonically found my voice and I mean that in a very literal way....It’s the first song in my entire career where I am singing, I don’t rap." Sonically tender, gentle drum machine snaps support washy guitars as Blanco's honest lyricism hits home. They go on, "I wrote this song about the relationship between my ex-boyfriend and his father that has had bouts of mental illness. When the person you love is going through a situation that you can’t alter in any way, or help or be active in trying to correct it not only hurts them but it hurts you. I think the core meaning of this song is compassion in the face of helplessness.” Watch the complimentary greyscale video directed by Kit Monteith & Krishna Muthurangu here now. -Holly Mullineaux