Sometimes good things take long to arrive but when the do they come in twos – at least. John Cale‘s had to wait seven years for his 2016’s “M:FANS” to be succeeded by “Mercy” in January 2023, yet that album sees a follow-up planned for release on June 14th – titled “POPtical Illusion” and featuring a devil’s dozen fresh cuts. Also fueled by current affairs, this platter is quite different from its immediate predecessor.
While “Mercy” found Cale collaborating with various musicians, the new record focuses on John’s singing accompanied by his own ivories, acoustic and electronic, pianos rubbing shoulders with synthesizers and samplers. Quite challenging for any 82-year-old – but rather par for the course for this intrepid experimenter who’s always derived pleasure in defying age, pomp and circumstance.
POPtical Illusion
1. God Made Me Do It (Don’t Ask Me Again)
2. Davies And Wales
3. Calling You Out
4. Edge of Reason
5. I’m Angry
6. How We See The Light
7. Company Commander
8. Setting Fires
9. Shark-Shark
10. Funkball The Brewster
11. All To The Good
12. Laughing In My Sleep
13. There Will Be No River
