Poly Styrene – ‘Translucence’
As the leader of X-Ray Spex, Poly Styrene formed one of the most stunningly original voices of the punk movement. Her strong image and endless tirades against consumerism, sexism, and the racism she experienced as one of the first generations of mixed-race kids in Britain gave her music a sense of real passion and dedicated anger. By 1980, however, the punk rock dream was over. A new age was dawning, and the punk pioneer was witnessing something of a rebirth.
Partway through 1979, as the post-punk scene was beginning to take flight, Poly left X-Ray Spex and wasted no time in recording her first solo work, Translucence. The record sees Styrene, born Marianne Joan Elliott-Said, embrace a much more gentle sound as opposed to her work with X-Ray Spex. Featuring prominent jazz and easy listening influences, the main thing that strikes you about the album is how beautiful and transcendental Poly’s voice is capable of being, particularly on the opening track, ‘Dreaming’.
As the record progresses, it becomes apparent that Poly has not lost her original edge. On the track ‘Talk in Toytown’, she reaffirms her lyrical obsessions with consumerism and alienation. Alienation is a common theme throughout the project, likely resulting from her period as one of few prominent women within the punk scene, in addition to her misdiagnosed schizophrenia.
Blending jazz, reggae and dub with a much more melodic feel than her earlier work, Translucence is hard to pin down. It often feels somewhat disjointed, almost feeling like a collection of all the various tracks she couldn’t get off the ground with the Spex. The record jumps from laid-back reggae-influenced jazz to Mark Ayers-esque electronic music, often within the same track. Nevertheless, the record maintains a somewhat mellow, spiritual atmosphere throughout its tracklisting.
As a result of its relaxed atmosphere and subtle reggae influences, the album is a perfect soundtrack to a relaxed summer’s day despite the dark surroundings in which it was constructed. That image of sun-soaked relaxation is reaffirmed by the cover of Translucence, which offers blue skies and desert sands, as well as the singer wrapped in a white face covering, with only her eyes visible. This timeless image of Poly pays tribute to her African heritage, being the daughter of a Somali-born dockworker, in addition to confirming the themes of alienation and disguise that are present throughout the record.
It is impossible to discuss Translucence without considering its contextual background. Struggling with her reported schizophrenia (diagnosed as bipolar disorder years later) and being alienated from the punk and alternative music scene, the album explores the mind of Poly Styrene at a very dark time in her life. Offering a reflective, sometimes melancholic but always melodic account of the mind of the punk icon, the entire project is an incredibly valuable resource.
Released shortly before Poly Styrene would join the Hare Krishna movement, allowing her to regain her confidence and mental stability, Translucence presents Poly from a truly unique perspective. Is it a groundbreaking album? No, but it confirms the singer’s position as a fearlessly original voice and an incredibly important artist. Translucence is a criminally forgotten record that is certainly worth a revisit.
