Review Format:

CD

Back after a 10 year hiatus, Boy George has collaborated with Kinky Roland for his new album ‘Ordinary Alien’. A massive departure from his days in Culture Club and 1990’s output, Boy George’s latest release is very much influenced by his recent work as a DJ. In fact, I could quite imagine each of the 13 tracks on the album pumping out to clubbers in Ibiza. But for now I’ll have to settle for my living room...

One of my favourite tracks on the album, ‘Yes we can’, has a really fresh sound, upbeat tempo and lyrics. Fittingly perhaps, the vocals on ‘Don’t Wanna See Myself’ are almost lost in a sea of synthesis. An interesting addition to the playlist is a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Go Your Own Way’. George manages to put his unique stamp on the song with an exotic beat. ‘Here Come The Girls’ features Ave D and almost sounds like a curiously fun mash up of David Bowie, Madonna and Electric Six.

Track 9 – ‘Seconds’ (featuring Phillip Something) would be a perfect fit for a high-octane sci-fi blockbuster. The party continues with ‘After Dark’, and the fantastic ‘Kill The A&R’ – a catchy, dreamy throwback, complete with “shoo-wops” and unexpected guitar riffs. It keeps getting better with ‘Human Racing’, building up to the high-energy Caribbean finale in ‘Look Pon U’. All that was missing is a tropical drink in my hand!

Digital versions of the album feature three additional songs to the CD version, including ‘Time Machine’, ‘Psychology of the Dreamer’, and ‘Sanitised’.

It must be good karma that this chameleon has successfully managed to reinvent himself, keeping his music very relevant in the 21st century. ‘Ordinary Alien’ is full of memorable club tracks that make you want to get up and dance into the early hours. Boy George is BACK in a very big way with his essential new album. Simply stunning.