The Star's critic MARIA DUARTE recommends an impressive impersonation of Bob Dylan
Album reviews with Simon Duff: November 11, 2024
New releases from Propaganda, David Gilmour and Jon Hopkins
The Star's critic MARIA DUARTE reviews Here, Vermiglio, William Tell and Wolf Man
New releases from Thorpe and Morrison, Daria Kulesh, and Will Finn and Rosie Calvert
RINA ARYA confronts the brutal operation of Francis Bacon’s approach to portraiture
Emphasising his continuous engagement in labour movement struggles, ALISTAIR FINDLAY salutes John Foster’s contribution as activist, strategist, intellectual and defender of the Morning Star
ANDY MIAH advocates the use of AI to assist people by expanding access to global literature and culture
EWAN KOTZ relishes a veteran Glasgow band that have lost none of their verve for live performance
Propaganda
Propaganda
(Bureau B)
★★★★★
GERMAN electronic pioneers Propaganda’s music first emerged in the mid-1980s. An eclectic fusion of Wagner, Abba, Simple Minds and Prince. Epic chord progressions, melodic intensity and driven production ideals. Those ideals remain firmly in tact on the new album. Founding members Michael Mertens and Ralf Dorper are joined by vocalist Thunder Bae.
Album opener They Call Me Nocebo is imbued with the nocturnal mood of vintage Propaganda but expresses itself within the context of modern dance and new electronic sounds. Purveyor of Pleasure continues that feel, full of intense rhythms, and pulsating Moog bass. The standout track is Tipping Point, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXRHGS3A3cw, a high-octane delight taking on issues of climate crisis and the rise of the far right in Europe.
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