‘Deal of the Century’ is hands down one of the most intriguing and eclectic albums I’ve ever heard. Courtesy of London-based songwriter and drummer Jem Doulton, it’s an eight-track offering that Jem admits “doesn’t sit still and crosses universes”.
Known for his work drumming for Thurston Moore, (Sonic Youth) Doulton has assembled a ridiculously talented line-up of musicians to bring ‘Deal of the Century’ to life. Thematically, the record focuses on everything from lighthearted fun to political exploration and philosophy – no stone is left unturned. Let’s dive in shall we?
Beginning with the title track, the listener is immediately thrown into the sonic deep end. A dark and gritty psychedelic soundscape serves as the perfect backdrop for a scathing and sarcastic review of the last fifteen years in the UK.
‘Svetlana’ is equally as fascinating as its predecessor, leaning into almost dubstep territory, before ‘Don’t Suppose’ steps up to the plate offering a somewhat more straightforward and approachable sound.
‘At ’em Boy’ is an absorbing piece of music from start to finish, while ‘Snake Oil Salesman’ returns us to the more eerie and experimental sounds previously experienced.
We finish with ‘Rusting Away’, ‘The Whip’, and ‘Into The Jetstream’, three tunes I’ll leave you to discover on your own. Enjoy them, absorb them, and let their complexities draw you in.
Serious album alert! Enjoy ‘Deal of the Century’ on Spotify now:
