In or around 2500 BC ancient Egyptian artists settled on blue, rare and expensive blue, as the only colour befitting their gods. Casting the common blacks, browns and reds aside, they struck out in search of a lasting, beautiful blue – and stumbled on what we now know as Egyptian blue, a rich pigment still vivid several centuries down the line.
One minute I’m at a music festival, the next I’m in a parallel universe watching an overbearing comedian clad in dungarees is singing about the dangers of texting unsolicited pictures of your bits, like I’m watching some kids’ PSHE educational show in the near future yet laughing so much I nearly bought a round. This is thanks to supremely gifted musical comedian Vikki Stone, a hilarious act at this year’s Long Division festival, the increased comedy featured proof the organisers are not content with standing still.
As bands go they don’t get much more (self-)destructive than Jane’s Addiction, and as Jane’s Addiction band members go they don’t get much more (self-)destructive than vocalist Perry Farrell - and that’s saying something, given the existence of Dave Navarro. But that was then and this is now, and, at the age of 60, a cleaned-up Farrell is dropping his first solo album for 18 years, Kind Heaven, and for better or for worse there’s nothing destructive about it.
Currently starting a warm-up UK mini-tour ahead of this autumn’s main event, Sheffield’s favourite workaholic troubadour is back with album number eight. If you also include the handful of film scores, a mini album and a couple of live releases, not forgetting a ton of guest appearances, we’re talking a pretty prolific return for someone about to enter their third decade as a solo artist.
‘Further’ also sees Hawley looking to spread his wings a little, his first long player named without any connections to his beloved Steel City. Clearly at ease within his 52 year-old self, his creative flames showing no sign of dimming, a continued knack for penning beautifully formed tunes appealing to both punter and pundit alike, sure to continue with yet another sumptuous collection of lush, expansive yet concise songs that disarm and thrill in equal measure.
‘Further’ oozes painstakingly honed, pure song writing craft from every pore throughout its 40 minutes, not a second wasted, be it on straight ahead up-tempo rockers including feedback tinged opener, ‘Off My Mind’, somewhat of a throwback to Hawley’s Longpigs period. The wistful voluminous country of ‘Midnight Train’ and title track ‘Further’ complete with deft touches of string and pedal guitar envelop and soothe whereas the psych pop of ‘Alone’ makes the listener contemplate their insignificance, merely a speck of dust in the vast vacuum cleaner bag of our universe.
Photo: Chris Saunders
Notwithstanding, it’s the tender moments on ‘Further’ that prove the highlights, profound sonnets such as the shimmering ‘My Little Treasures’, kind of a tribute to his late father and over a decade in the making. The equally seductive ‘Not Lonely’ touches on self-imposed solitude, whilst the benign waltz of ‘Emilina Says’, an ode of sorts to Miss Pankhurst, is a touch redolent of the Chris Bell classic ‘You and Your Sister’.
Closer ‘Doors’ touches on the mind altering properties of recreational pharmaceuticals and likewise, ‘Further’ certainly leaves you on a high and wanting more of this all killer no filler material that stands every chance of garnering Hawley a third Mercury nomination.
