The enigma that is PALE JAY has today, September 6th, released a new album and ‘Low End Love Songs’ is well… enigmatic! The man (?) and his (?) team have always been tight lipped about who’s behind the mask and the mystery persona but they’re good at publicity, flagging up the album via a couple of representatives singles – the delicate ‘Easy, Lee’ and the equally intriguing ‘The Garden’.
Both were laid back – lo-fi, if you would and featured PJ’s almost fractured, vulnerable falsetto vocals; the lyrics, as you’d expect, weren’t run of the mill either. They dealt with things like the validity of your own emotions and “safeguarding the inner sanctuary that music and its playful essence provide”. The 10 song ‘Low End Love Songs’ album delivers plenty more – sonically and lyrically but with titles like ‘Dreaming In Slow Motion’ you could work that out for yourself.
There are a few exception to Pale Jay’s norm – but those exceptions aren’t radically “different”. For example ‘Quadris De Ouro’ is an attempt at delivering a quasi-Latino sound while ‘Branch By Branch’ opens with something that sounds like it comes from an old 50s Western movie. Yes, odd – but it’s Pale Jay remember.
He (?) says: “In this album, I depart from loop-based song structures towards more intricate and lush compositions. Latin influences permeate the music, adding new layers of rhythms and textures to my soul-music roots” Right or wrong? Make up you own minds. The album’s out now via Colemine!
