Paul Banks — 'Banks' (Matador)

The Interpol frontman released his first solo album as alter ego Julian Plenti. While that had some stunning moments it had at times an overly synthesised and alienating sound primarily made up of pre-Interpol material.

Banks is an altogether different prospect and a sonic leap forward, a more organic, less detached sound, made up of new and personal songs, the writing of which Banks described as “purging and venting”. 
‘Young Again’ uplifts as Banks’s reconnection to his 18-year-old headspace, while ‘Paid for That’ recalls ’90s low-fi outfit The Folk Implosion. Sardonic as ever, this is epic and shape-shifting, exhilarating and genre-defying. 

Rating: 4 / 5

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