Minny Pops – ‘Stockholm_1974’ album review: A blast from both past and future
THE SKINNY: Although we remember Factory Records for titans like Joy Division and Happy Mondays and for its part in establishing The Haçienda, the iceberg is broad beneath the surface. Throughout the 1980s, the label signed several fascinating leftfield artists, including Section 25, Durutti Column and all the way from Amsterdam, Minny Pops, which has returned this week with its first new studio album in over 40 years.
As a leading proponent of the Ultra post-punk movement in the Netherlands, Minny Pops set out in 1978 as the project of vocalist, songwriter and programmer Wally van Middendorp. After opening for Joy Division in January 1980, the band was brought to the attention of Factory Records by manager Rob Gretton. After browsing the project’s early creations, they could see that they fit Manchester’s experimental post-punk scene like a glove.
The band only released one studio album with Factory, Sparks in a Dark Room, which turned out to be their last for over four decades. Though Middendorp has dipped in and out of the project for one-off shows, he is now back with a third LP, and it’s about time, too. Stockholm_1974 hears the songwriter return to his years as a student in 1970s Sweden through six well-produced electro-punk tracks.
Stockholm_1974 remains mostly faithful to the sound Minny Pops introduced in the late 1970s and early ‘80s. Jagged guitar progressions invariably meet synthesised tones that still sound futuristic after all these years, evoking a sci-fi movie soundtrack. For good measure, Middendorp infolds woodwind and brass instrumentation courtesy of Terry Edwards and even banjo melodies contributed by Pieter Mulder.
Although Stockholm_1974 brings very little new to the table as a reminiscence of a musical epoch long past, it is certainly not banal. Each song carries an identity unmistakably belonging to this album, yet they vary impressively with a range of emotional themes, sonic atmospheres, instrumental textures and tempos. Not every song is perfect, but it is delightful to hear one of the original masters of avant-garde rock back in business.
For fans of: Urban isolation, 1980s sci-fi and Krautrock.
A concluding comment from an ageing Haçienda raver: “In places, it’s right good, man. A couple of mad little rhythms I’ll return to for sure.”
Stockholm_1974 track by track:
Release Date: July 17th | Producer: Wally van Middendorp | Label: Psychofon Records
‘Dad Dog’: An enjoyable post-punk rhythm is let down somewhat by the uninspiring lyrics. If you can handle six minutes of someone banging on about their stepfather’s shoes, there are some great synthesised effects and intriguing brass injections. [2.5/5]
‘Patty’: Again, Minny Pops exhibits an eye for an attractive and original instrumental composition. Middendorp combines Woodwind and shimmering guitars with less obtrusive vocals before a cacophonous closing third. [3.5/5]
‘1234 Satisfy’: This track brings a bit of variety to the album with a heavier dependency on synthesised textures and a more propulsive drum beat. Minny Pops bring their sound up to date with a punchy vocal infusion evocative of the contemporary post-punk scene. [3.5/5]
‘Spectrum SQ’: I commend Middendorp’s experimentalism in ‘Spectrum’ above all else. It is intriguing to hear bright woodwind melodies juxtaposed with ominous vocals and a hostile beat. Still, as an esoteric track, it is hard to say whether I’ll return for those oft-important re-listens. [3/5]
‘Stay Awake’: This sharp little number is the most enjoyable track on the album. Though accessible and reminiscent of the classic post-punk era, it brings some interesting vocal and synthesised effects into play that neither over nor understeps the mark. [4/5]
‘Last Train’: Like ‘Spectrum’, this closing track is an alluring departure from convention. It warps its way through a post-punk fever dream with lyrical snippets and static sound effects that evoke a grave intergalactic transmission. [3.5/5]
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out New Music Newsletter
All the latest New Music from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.