ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Gorillaz/The Mountain ****
Most tourists come back from India with souvenir tea or, if unlucky, dysentery, but Damon and Jamie Hewlett returned with a spiritual musical masterpiece. Animated crew 2-D, Murdoc, Noodle and Russel sound adrift in their transcendental meditation phase judging by the title track’s luxurious orchestrations entwining bansuri flutes, sitar and tabla percussion.
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However, don’t go expecting an all-out Asian musical cliche, if anything The Mountain comes on like a Gorillaz greatest hits thanks to Damon Albarn’s ingenious resurrection of long lost collaborators; most notably Mark E Smith losing his mind all over again on Delirium. Using outtakes of deceased friends Tony Allen, Denis Hopper and Bobby Womack helps illustrate the album’s most moving preoccupation – death and the after life, themes tackled in the most mystical and uplifting way.
It’s also the band’s most pop-centric set since Demon Days with explosive melodic gems The Moon Cave and Orange County contemplating grief with the chirpiest of whistles. Gorillaz have always infused of some hip hop’s most significant voices into the mix, and this time it’s The Roots MC Black Thought who provides a dexterous lyrical foil for Albarn’s signature muffled croon on The Empty Dream among others.
The combo of Johnny Marr and Anoushka Shankar creates a hypnotic new mantra for The Plastic Guru while Gruff Rhys pops up to do a mean Chris Martin impression on The Shadowy Light. Nine albums in and Gorillaz sound like they’re only just reaching their peak, so crack out the popadoms and dip into the Mountain’s higher power.
BRUNO MARS / The Romantic ****
No messing about, armed with a bunch of roses Bruno does exactly what he says on the tin with this lavish homage to love making sounds of yester year. Coming on like the soundtrack vintage telly show The Love Boat, the strings are honey sweet and harmonies more heart-felt than a door-to-door salesman as Mars basks in soul, bossa nova and the easy listening end of disco.
The Delfonics, Bobby Womack, Chick Corea, Curtis Mayfield all get blended into the Mars mix hitting a groovy peak on Barbara Acklin- tribute God Was Showing Off. It’s epic, timeless and Bruno’s chops are as slick as ever reaching a new level of songwriting quality on Why You Wanna Fight? This summer’s stadium tour promises to be the world’s biggest wedding disco!
IRON & WINE /Hen’s Teeth ****
Sam Beam’s brand of folk cultivates new strands of magic and wonder on Hen’s teeth, which despite sharing the same DNA as previous LP Light Verse, has its own distinct beauty and a far tighter song craft. The moving Roses encapsulates an entire life time in four succinct minutes, perfectly arranged with a gorgeous string quartet lifting the senses towards whatever type of heaven the listener desires.
There’s a notable elevation in Americana, blues, jazz and country influences with trio I’m With Her providing sublime harmonious layers to upbeat Robin’s Eggs and sensual highlight Wait Up – if sunrises made a noise, they would surely sound like this. Beam’s backing singer daughter Arden also adds a new dimension to the Iron & Wine palette, but there are still moments of whispered intimacy (Dates And Dead People) for fans to revel in the comfort of Beam’s voice solo.
MITSKI / Nothing’s About To Happen To Me ***
Making fun of anxiety, Mitski is adept at injecting humour into the darkness of her subconscious. Both extremes of the American’s musical spectrum are covered on this candid and often brave collection from the DIY grunge punk aesthetic of Where’s My Phone to the orchestral Rules with its nostalgic 70s easy listening vibe.
At times it’s stripped back, reminiscent of something she made ten years ago but ultimately her sophisticated ear can’t resist piling on layers for bittersweet jazz ballad I’ll Change For You which showcases the purity of her voice. Music is Mitski’s coping method, she recently deleted all social media and that desire for obscurity can be felt on brooding opener In A Lake where she abandons the city in favour of a small town. There’s a longing for inertia, silence, but fans will pray she doesn’t make that fantasy a reality any time soon.
ROB ZOMBIE / The Great Satan **
Reunited with old cohorts guitarist Riggs and bassist Blasko, Zombie attempts to take fans back to metal Valhalla but ultimately sinks the faithful down to hell. Apart from the title and heavy repetition of devil imagery, there’s a disappointing lack of direction to Zombie’s cacophony of rock, industrial and psychedelia.
Even the interludes fail to deliver any semblance of a sonic or thematic journey, as the noise and growl levels remain at a steady 11 throughout. Bowie’s Moonage Daydream gets a subtle shout-out during high point (I’m A) Rock “N” Roller, and the almost groovy Sir Lord Acid Wolfman is kind of a success if you’re after something resembling the experience of having your drink spiked. It’s enough to turn you onto God.
STREAM THIS WEEK
BLACKPINK / Deadline
SKYE NEWMAN / Walk
SONNY FODERA / My Loving
GNARLS BARKLEY / Pictures
WILLOW AVALON / Easy on the Eyes
KYLE FALCONER / I’m Lost (You’re Dead)
TORI AMOS/ Stronger Together
LINDA PERRY / Beautiful
KILLERSTAR / Rubicon
SONNY FODERA / My Loving
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