The Welsh avant-garde pioneer, disruptor, and veteran John Cale defies age and expectations once again. POPtical Illusion follows the acclaimed Mercy from last year, proving Cale’s creativity remains undimmed at 82. It’s an album that mixes dark reflections on today’s fractured world with playful, experimental sounds, showing the former Velvet Underground man’s relentless drive to innovate.
We open with ‘God Made Me Do It (Don’t Ask Me Again)’, setting the stage with Cale’s timeless voice over ethereal, alien beats and shimmering synths. ‘Davies and Wales’ is, perhaps, the album’s zenith, no less inspiring being introduced so early. It evokes his classic Paris 1919 with a modern twist, lyrically similar to late-career David Bowie’s ‘Where Are We Now’ (“It’s the easiest way to find your way out of town / And avoid the mistakes we made / When we were younger / We don’t care who we hurt on the way up”).
‘How We See the Light’ anchors as the album’s centrepiece, integrating expressive lyrics with transcendental melodies. But they’re not overly abstract. Cale’s themes are contemplative and politically charged. ‘Edge of Reason’ broods on societal collapse, revisiting the haunting line, “Fear is a man’s best friend”. ‘I’m Angry’ contrasts its title with a minimalist deep house ballad. ‘Company Commander’ darkly paints dystopian imagery reminiscent of 1970s sci-fi films like Soylent Green and Logan’s Run, echoing the eerie, futuristic scores of composers such as Vangelis and Jerry Goldsmith.
READ MORE: ★★★★☆ MERCY review | Avant-garde hero reinvents once more amid end-of-days despair
Produced with longtime collaborator Nita Scott, POPtical Illusion is a masterclass in harmonising electronic beats, industrial sounds, and classic rock elements. Each track is a meticulous construction of synths, drums, and vocals. ‘Shark-Shark’ channels Velvet Underground’s raw energy, while ‘Laughing in My Sleep’ merges classical strings with contemporary beats, showcasing Cale’s versatility.
POPtical Illusion is a remarkable addition to Cale’s discography, confronting contemporary issues with anger and hope.
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