In Radiohead’s absence, the band’s members have consistently put out projects. Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood have worked on acclaimed film scores as well as the band The Smile, while Ed O’Brien put out an understated and underrated solo album in 2020 titled ‘Earth’.
Drummer Philip Selway has also had a crack at going it alone. ‘Strange Dance’ is his third solo full-length and it wouldn’t be unfair to say that none of these previous endeavours have quite captured the imagination in the same way as his bandmates’ extra-curricular work.
His chamber-pop style is undeniably distinct and well-realised but the real question is: how engrossing is it? Well, ‘Strange Dance’ is an odd listen. It’s both experimental but inoffensive, undercooked but frequently bombastic.
Selway seems uninterested or incapable of crafting memorable hooks or melodies. His vocals are soft and Nick Drake-esque, but lack Drake’s quiet emotional devastation. Instead, these 10 tracks use his hushed whisper as a texture, which rarely leaves an impression.
The album is on much stronger footing with regards to some of the arrangements. The atmospherics of the title track are memorably spooky, What Keeps You Awake At Night is gently crepuscular and the Radiohead-like guitars of Picking Up Pieces venture towards an emotive sweet spot that the album often lacks.
Still, ‘Strange Dance’ doesn’t really achieve liftoff. It’s never especially off-kilter, nor does it feature much compelling pop songwriting. Instead it lands in a flat middle ground, and feels like less than the sum of its parts.
Philip Selway Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Mon May 15 2023 - GLASGOW Oran Mor
Tue May 16 2023 - LEEDS Brudenell Social Club
Thu May 18 2023 - LONDON Union Chapel
Fri May 19 2023 - BRISTOL Thekla
Sat May 20 2023 - BIRMINGHAM Hare and Hounds
Sun May 21 2023 - MANCHESTER Manchester Gorilla
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