Description

Vinyl Records London are on cloud nine, we are now spinning in a brand new copy in Black Vinyl from Dexys Dexys are back 11 years since the release of their last album of original music, the acclaimed One Day Im Going to Soar, the band return with a stunning new record, The Feminine Divine, out July 28th on 100 Records.The Feminine Divinersquos arrival is heralded by todayrsquos release of the glorious first single lsquoIrsquom Going To Get Freersquo, soaked in horns and with a heavy dancehall feel. The character is optimistically breaking free from internalised trauma, depression and guilt, Kevin Rowland said of the track.The Feminine Divine is Dexysrsquo fifth album of original material produced once again by Pete Schwier, along with acclaimed session musician and producer Toby Chapman. After taking some time out to refocus his energy, Kevin Rowland came back to music with a fresh perspective and newfound positivity. A personal, if not strictly autobiographical, record portraying a man whose views have evolved over time. Not just on women, but the whole concept of masculinity he had been raised with an education and an unlearning that is traced across the arc of The Feminine Divine with dizzying effect.With two tracks on the album with Goddess in the title in lsquoMy Goddess Isrsquo and lsquoGoddess Rulesrsquo, itrsquos no surprise Kevin chose to use a painting inspired by Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes, for the artwork.Dipping into the archives for a song hersquod originally written in 1991, the albumrsquos opener, lsquoThe One That Loves Yoursquo, is a toughguy feint before he lifts the curtain on ldquowhat I really feelrdquo, as announced by a classic bit of Kevin spoken word that leads into the second track, lsquoItrsquos Alright Kevin Manhood 2023rsquo.The recordrsquos first half is full of music hallesque swagger, much of it written with original Dexysrsquo trombonist Big Jim Paterson. The second side of the record is like nothing Dexys have done before. A saucy, synthheavy cabaret, written in collaboration with Sean Read and Mike Timothy. Itrsquos steamy, fizzing and sultry, at times doomladen and heavy and at other times raunchy and funky. Quite a heady mix.Today the band is more of an ldquoorganicrdquo assemblage ndash Kevin, Jim a nontouring band member, Sean Read and Mike Timothy. ldquoItrsquos always just natural with me,rdquo says Kevin. ldquoThe inspiration comes first, I think about what I can do, what songs Irsquove got, then approach the band.rdquo He describes their current lineup as ldquovery much the nucleus, these days.rdquoWith over a billion worldwide streams, three top 10 albums in the UK, two number 1 singles, a Brit Award and a multiplatinum selling album with their sophomore release TooRyeAy as Dexys Midnight Runners, Dexys are as vital and exciting today as ever. With live shows set to be announced shortly in support of the record, The Feminine Divine marks a new chapter in a book that just keeps getting better and better.ldquoIrsquove been doing this a long time,rdquo says Kevin. ldquoBut I feel Irsquove got to it now.rdquo