Dexys
Returning with their first album of new, original material since 2012’s One Day I’m Going to Soar (2016’s Let the Record Show was dedicated to reworkings of traditional Irish songs and other covers) Dexys—formerly Dexys Midnight Runners—serve up nine tracks that show the band is just as adept at mixing disparate musical styles as they were when they burst onto the North American music scene with 1982’s smash “Come On Eileen.” Aside from trombonist Big Jim Paterson, only singer and band mainstay Kevin Rowland is around from those halcyon days (the group’s lineup has changed numerous times over the years). The first half of the record mixes sunny, soulful pop with strings and horns, best exemplified in the first single “I’m Going To Get Free” and its follow-up “Coming Home,” which is an absolute highlight. The second half is a much darker, synth-heavy affair, with the sparse arrangement of “My Submission” giving Rowland’s aching vocals the spotlight. Anyone interested in high-quality new music from early music television favourites would be well served by checking out what Dexys is offering today.
-Matt Prokopchuk
4 out of 5
