Office Listening: Gary Numan - Splinter

As one of the pioneers both of electro and new wave, Gary Numan is an artist that still finds himself close to the heart of the British public. His pioneering three consecutive number one albums back in the 80s heralded in a talent that was both fiercely original, somewhat strange and yet capable of creating some of the most important pop records of all time. 

Many years on and Numan has continued to refine and reinvent his sound, delving further into the worlds of industrialised foreboding gloom, leaving pop trappings behind to explore the darker side of the human psyche.

As can be gleaned from the title of his newest full length offering Splinter, we find the electronic icon in sullen, introspective mode, dealing his struggles with depression, mid-life crisis, and becoming a parent, and yet it is not the downbeat, glum work that it could so easily have been. Stream the album below.

Opening with the grandiose, thundering distorted beast 'I Am Dust', it's quickly apparent that Numan's love affair with electronic experimentation is still in good health, as strange swarms of buzzsaws and wasps come uneasily in and out of mix as his voice takes centre stage.

The track soon opens up, giving way to driving beat that evokes memories of Depeche Mode's Ultra era, whilst his unique voice roars with all the power we've come to expect from him. As a statement of intent it's pretty damn bold.

Recurrent themes like the big fuzzy stabbing riffs in tracks like 'Everything Comes Down To This', discordant oscillating synth drones in 'The Calling' and distant redlining guitars all add the apocalyptic, dystopian, sound Numan is so adept at deploying, one that he has continued to explore throughout his career.

The variation in the piece too is worthy of note. Dramatic strings and staccatto rhythms brush up against more straightforward four to floor structures of songs like 'Love Hurt Bleed', which is in turn nestled next to the oddball, glitchy techno of 'A Shadow Falls on Me'.

Splinter sees one of the most important pioneers of electronic music still brimming with ideas, challenging his audience and himself whilst still showing he can write a catchy as hell hook (as heard in 'Who Are You'). Album closer 'My Last Day' fittingly disappears down a gentle, piano lead rabbit hole for the final, emotional movement, a fitting end to a strenuous 55 minutes of music.

The album certainly cannot be described an easy listening experience, much more like the weathering a storm, overrun with tumultuous black clouds, thunderous crashes and tremendous rain fall. However Splinter still hangs together as a joyful sonic journey as Numan bears all his demons, resulting in moments of considerable pathos and catharsis. 

As a display of an artist coming from a dark place, creating music born of uneasiness and melancholia, and yet still managing to showcase a wealth of inventiveness without alienating his audience, Splinter simply has to be admired. It's no wonder that it is being widely regarded as his finest album for over thirty years.

Catch Gary Numan at 53 Degress in Preston on the 1st June.

Tickets are no longer available for this event