John Grant Boy From Michigan 2LP

25 juni 2021

There are fewer modern-day solo artists more fascinating than John Grant. From his early days in The Czars to the melodic masterpiece that was his debut solo release, Queen Of Denmark, to the marvellous Creep Show collaboration with Wrangler, Grant has never stopped experimenting.His recent solo releases have each been more electronic than the last. On his new album Boy From Michigan, Grant leans heavily on the early electronic age with songs drawing on Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk, New Order, Vangelis and more.The album opens with Grant's 'Michigan trilogy,' three songs that look back on Grant’s formative days in that state. The album opener and title track begins with an ominous synth drone, adding layer upon layer of intense sound before blossoming into a woozy, reflective track that effortlessly holds your attention for its near eight-minute duration. The theme of reflection continues with 'Country Fair' and 'The Rusty Bull', and the distinctly personal nature of the opening trio of songs is one that permeates the entire album. The combination of Grant’s Icelandic solitude and the global events of the last eighteen months may well have led to this introspective feel, of course, but Grant has never been one to shy away from baring his soul on his albums. On this one, he goes further than ever before, making it his most autobiographical work to date.