2023-07-28 12:43:08
On the new Dexys album, Kevin Rowland explores his relationship with the female gender and the concept of masculinity. Musically, Dexys are also breaking new ground.
London.
They are well known to pop connoisseurs, but for many, the name Dexys should only evoke memories with tuition. The band from Birmingham topped the charts in the early 1980s, still under the name Dexys Midnight Runners, with the hit single “Geno” and the hit “Come On Eileen”. In 1987 the group disbanded and returned in 2003 as Dexys. The only constant member is 69-year-old singer-songwriter Kevin Rowland.
Stylistically, Rowland hasn’t strayed too far from his old sound with Dexys on the sixth album, at least on the first half of “The Feminine Divine”. Right from the start, “The One That Loves You” and “It’s Alright Kevin (Manhood 2023)” are a moody mixture of Northern Soul and Pop, which – and this is a not insignificant point of criticism – was unfortunately partly recorded with synthesizers, not with a big band. After all, original trombonist Jim Paterson is back on board.
It’s also about concepts of masculinity
Musically, Dexys make a break with the title track, which sits right in the middle of the new album. With “The Feminine Divine” and “My Goddess Is” the style suddenly changes from moody Northern Soul to laid-back funk with lots of rap. It actually sounds pretty cool. “Goddess Rules” is a looping synthesizer loop in which Rowland converses with a woman about the rules of their one-sided relationship. In terms of content, the ballad “My Submission” is the direct successor.
“The Feminine Divine” is a cabaret concept album in a broader sense. In the partly autobiographical songs, Rowland deals with his relationship with women – and with a concept of masculinity that shaped his upbringing but now apparently displeases him. Dexys have already released two music videos that give plenty of scope for interpretation. Among other things, Rowland can be seen – not for the first time – in women’s clothing.
made peace with the past
Kevin Rowland has said in interviews that he sometimes felt the success of around 40 years ago and the associated image as ballast (although the band itself advertises it). In the past, Rowland said he’d often been criticized for not meeting certain expectations. Today he sees it more calmly. “These are usually people who want to go back to 1981. I’m not interested in that,” he told The Quietus magazine.
On “The Feminine Divine” he seems to have made his peace with the past. Perhaps the most beautiful new song is “I’m Going To Get Free”. The life-affirming feel-good number from the first half of the sixth Dexys album is definitely to be understood as a maxim of 69-year-old Rowland.
(dpa)
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