Description

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 Divines arrival is heralded by todays release of the glorious first single Im Going To Get Free, 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 Dexys 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 My Goddess Is and Goddess Rules, its 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 hed originally written in 1991, the albums opener, The One That Loves You, is a toughguy feint before he lifts the curtain on what I really feel , as announced by a classic bit of Kevin spoken word that leads into the second track, Its Alright Kevin Manhood 2023.The records first half is full of music hallesque swagger, much of it written with original Dexys 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. Its 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 organic assemblage ndash Kevin, Jim a nontouring band member, Sean Read and Mike Timothy. Its always just natural with me, says Kevin. The inspiration comes first, I think about what I can do, what songs Ive got, then approach the band. He describes their current lineup as very much the nucleus, these days. With 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. Ive been doing this a long time, says Kevin. But I feel Ive got to it now. Dexys Vinyl-Cassette is available for home delivery from Vinyl Records London, only £35 +P&P