Pleasure Center
Galtta, 2020
9/10
Adrian Knight is a constant source of creativity as he’s consistently exploring various avenues of experimental pop ideas with his song craft. This time around, the artist has outdone himself, as he dishes out large helpings of synth amid the extremely mature melodies of the aptly titled Pleasure Center.
“Airport” starts the listen with the soothing sounds of the ‘70s with soft, soulful vocals alongside pop melodies, and the title track follows with drums from Michael Advensky and woodwinds from David Lackner, who also mastered the record, on the hazy, layered, throwback pop formula.
Further along, “Invisible Man”moves with a smooth beat as Knight’s versatile pipes illuminate the disco friendly atmosphere, while “Lasertown” benefits greatly from Lackner’s contributions on the album highlight that’s swift, rhythmic and retro in all the best ways.
The final two tracks are “Night Falls” and “Waiting For A Ride”, where the former glides with a busier display of layered vocals, and funky instrumentation, and the latter might soundtrack a roller skating experience in another decade with its nostalgic arrangements and feel good delivery.
For fans of outsider pop, it just doesn’t get any better than this 6th album from Knight, where well developed lyrics, pristine production and atypical harmonies ensure a good time from beginning to end.
Travels well with: Purelle- Gotta Have It!; Alice Cohen- Artificial Fairytales