‘Fever Dreams Pts 1-4’ was born out of a desire to make the most expansive and ambitious body of work of Johnny Marr’s career.
He reveals: “I wanted this album to sound classic, and universal. That’s how I felt. I wanted to look inside, but make really outward-facing music” – Mission accomplished Mr Marr.
‘Fever Dreams Pts 1-4’, Johnny’s fourth solo album is as the title suggests, a collection of four parts to this expansive and exploratory body of work.
Emotive, stirring, straight talking, Johnny takes his love of a soul music and adds his usual rock ‘n’ roll swagger. You can hear elements and the familiarity of his previous work such as 2014’s ‘Playland’, but this feels like the album that Johnny has been aching to make for years. It is here where he has created a new wave of sonic expression.
The opening track ‘Spirit, Power And Soul’ reflects this and really sets the tone of the album. Marr himself describes it as ‘electro gospel’ – it’s anthemic, intriguing and bold emphasised by Johnny’s infectious guitar swells.
The synth-infused ‘Ariel’ with its driving bassline and ‘Sensory Street’ are standout tracks that sit effortlessly with the call to arms that is ‘Lightning People’.
Authentic and thoughtful, the album features backing vocals and bass from Primal Scream’s Simone Marie and Meredith Sheldon both of which are splendid collaborators.
Whilst there is a brief nod to the (recent) past in the rousing ‘Night And Day’ with lines like ‘Fuse burns up/ The world stirs up/ The news shakes up/ The mood blows up’, undoubtedly much of this album is all about the importance of change and looking to the future.
‘Fever Dreams Pts 1-4’ serves as a showcase for not only Johnny’s incredible prowess as an impeccable guitarist, but also his profound ability to craft a series of impossibly strong songs that effortlessly fuse a timeless element of rock ‘n’ roll swagger with influences from the likes of T. Rex, Depeche Mode and New York Dolls. with a compelling and soothing soulful groove.
Closing business is the beautifully written ‘Human’ a song about redemption and hope, that evokes the feeling that something ‘“better’s got to come” which effectively ties together the feeling of humanity, intimacy and intensity to a fine close.
Revealing, emotional, powerful and progressive, ‘Fever Dreams Pts 1-4’ is an impressive and committed body of work.
8/10
Words: Emma Harrison
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