John Grant - Grey Tickles, Black Pressure

John’s feeling a bit sorry for himself these days, approaching middle age (“There are children who have cancer, so all bets are off, cause I can’t compete with that”) and still crossing those thin lines between lusty obsession and hatred, between inevitable disappointment and hope. “You think you’re super special but you’re just a big twat”. The oceans of longing and pain that burden him are cut through with a biting tongue in cheek humour that plays off perfectly against the sadness. Snug Slacks is Max Headroom with a hard on, all thrusting synths and leers.. “If you’d be so kind I could use some help with my thesis on the carpet burn”. Disappointment boasts an incredibly catchy clappy chorus and bags of energy. Black Blizzard is a bleak moment with a phat beat building throughout and ending up with John’s swooping vocals battering you from the dark Icelandic skies. Get your lighters up for some classic Grant torch songs as well; No More Tangles, Geraldine and Magma Arrives are grandly lush. Grey Tickles (middle age), Black Pressure (nightmare) is another magnificent triumph from John Grant; he’s still angry, he still hurts but he’s got his heart a little more under control, and overall it’s more upbeat than Pale Green Ghosts. The cover of the album sums it up; it’ll make you LOL. But it will also hold your hand while you weep. Spot on.