Kingdom Of Sleep
Ghostworks, 2020
8/10
Though Jonny Polonsky’s name may not ring a bell, the multi-instrumentalist has an impressive list of credentials that includes touring, recording or collaborating with Frank Black, Jeff Buckley, Pete Yorn and many others. On this 6th LP, Polonsky brings a very artistic approach to his song craft, where gongs, piccolos, bass fiddles and other noisemakers invade the varied textures.
“Ghost Like Soul” starts the listen and sounds like the cover art-mysterious, sci-fi and atypical with breathy vocals and dreamy instrumentation- as Cedric Bixler-Zavala lends a hand, and “Sign In The Window” continues the unconventional setting with dark rhythm, strategically strummed guitars and an alluring atmosphere.
The remainder of the listen is equally unusual, and includes the surreal “No Tears”, which flows with a hazy post-punk meets alt-pop feeling, while the ominous “Take Me Home” sounds like a late night soundtrack to something sinister yet also meditative and with a cinematic quality.
Near the end, “You Turn Me On” recruits some pop sensibilities in the cautious environment that’s as playful as it is precise, and “A Willing Eye” exits with a fuller execution of some type of cosmic cocktail where prog. psyche and alt-rock all collide and mesh with inimitable results.
I guess when Black Francis handpicks you as a teenager to display your talents to the world, you might have a lot to live up to. Polonsky has clearly far exceeded anyone’s expectations- in the bands he’s played in, as well as on his own- as evidenced by this extremely detailed and unique listen that will appeal to fans of Nick Cave, Cocteau Twins, The Cure or Love And Rockets.
Travels well with: Grant Earl LaValley- A Brighter Day; Subduxtion- The Black Point