Performative rock theatrics with a dark and poetic undertone – alt-pop and neo-soul from Talon David blends fairy-tale storytelling and scene setting with a brilliantly creative musically, throughout the opening half of a two-part album that is The Villain.
Featuring energised vocals both sharp and evocative accordingly, Make Me The Villain leads with upbeat keys and distorted guitars, through meandering vocal lines that allure and enchant. The track is instantly intriguing, then awesomely vibrant and awakening, and the final crescendo is sensational – a real moment of unity between everything from distortion to harmonies to soulful adlib peaks on the lead.
The Villain is a conceptual audio venture, exploring the unique topic of being scapegoated by the music industry – a reflection of Talon David’s own experiences when simply standing up for artistic integrity and value as an artist. The stories are fascinating, lyrically original, unapologetic, and they emerge by way of an unpredictable shifting landscape stylistically; including spoken segments and colourful hooks, snappy changes in direction, and a clever balancing of the playful and the passionate. From Inner Banshee right through to the warmer catchy hooks of The Better Friend and the equally interesting revelations of Last Of My Kind, everything is freely expressive but musically effective; self-indulgent but also crucially audience-aware, and that balance matters.
Think Ani DiFranco meets Tori Amos and Rusted Root, only forget this entirely once you hear the soulful refrains of Hero Is a-Slitherin, and so many of the album’s engaging and original, poignant and topical reflections on modern creative life.
The Villain is unlike anything you’re likely to listen to elsewhere this season. It’s cleanly crafted, interesting and artistic, but also rooted in both talent and concept to a degree that grips you throughout. Well-worth spending some time with.
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