Released October 9, 2015 Length 57:23 Release date 9 October 2015 Genres Synth-pop, Soft rock | Recorded 2014–2015 Artist John Grant Label Partisan Records | |
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Producers John Congleton, John Grant Similar Pale Green Ghosts, Queen of Denmark, Have You In My Wilderness, Fading Frontier, Perpetual Motion People | ||
Grey Tickles, Black Pressure is the third solo album by former The Czars frontman John Grant. The album and track list were officially announced on June 23 and was released October 8 via Bella Union.
Contents
The album received critical acclaim upon its release. In its review, NME named it "One of the albums of the year", praising both its personal lyrics and its pop melodies. Time named "Disappointing" (a song from the album) the sixth-best song of 2015.
Development
The record's title comes from the raw translation of two phrases from the Icelandic and Turkish languages respectively: "grey tickles" refers to approaching middle age; "black pressure" comes from the Turkish word for nightmare. Grant stated that he wanted to get angrier and moodier on this record although he enjoyed the process of making this album more than the previous two. The album's trailer features Grant in what appears to be after a psychotic break, covered in blood and wielding a croquet mallet as a weapon. Grant described it as a fantasy of what he would like to do every time somebody calls him a faggot.
Tracey Thorn previously of Everything but the Girl features on vocals on the track "Disappointing". The album's other two guests are vocalist Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls and former Siouxsie and the Banshees drummer Budgie.
Personnel
Songs
1Intro1:37
2Grey Tickles - Black Pressure5:30
3Snug Slacks4:12