Yes, you did read that correctly. This is indeed David Lynch, the esteemed film director of Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive and Twin Peaks amongst others. And now he's releasing a music album?
Well quite. It's not something you'd really expect. Yet musically, this is Lynch all over - dark, brooding and weird. As a whole, album 'Crazy Clown Time' (released on Monday, pictured) is a difficult listen. Mesmeric electronica clashes with blues guitar and pulsating synths. What really stands out though is Lynch's vocals - sometimes sung, sometimes autotuned and sometimes by guest vocalists. It lends each song it's own distinct narrative, giving the album a truly cinematic feel.
Good Day Today was actually released months ago as the first single from the album. Its pop-dance sound is at odds with the rest of the album (an album ultimately at odds with itself), and the vocoded vocal does grate after repeated listening. Then there's the video, which includes a boy falling into a bowl of soup. However, it was filmed for a competition judged by Lynch and acts very much as pastiche.
Is this sonic genius or pretentious nonsense? Like his films, Lynch's music is sure to polarise audiences. It may not always be a pleasant listen, but 'Crazy Clown Time' is worth a listen for curiosity's sake alone.
3/5
