UK synth pop artist Rodney Cromwell (a.k.a Adam Cresswell) has just added another bright spot on his musical resume with the release of his new EP, “Black Dog”. You might consider this a continuance of his earlier album, “Age of Anxiety”, but actually, it’s a progression. Simultaneously paying homage to the likes of New Order, Color Theory, Pet Shop Boys and a few choice others, Rodney Cromwell advance the sound of the previous effort with little effort and improve the finished product.
While being primarily remixes from “Age of Anxiety”, the songs are reconstructed in a way that gives them a different personality representative more of remakes than remixes in the true art of reinterpretations. And that, my friends, is the talent of a true artist.
The ‘Black Dog’ EP and ‘Age of Anxiety’ LP are available for pre-order on Bandcamp and CDs are available through Cargo Records and Darla Records.
About Rodney Cromwell
London synthpop wonder Rodney Cromwell has announced details of his new ‘Black Dog’ EP, which he is releasing on the back of his debut LP ‘Age of Anxiety’, out earlier this year via Happy Robots Records. This new release introduces the modern electronic lover to some epic retro future synth music. Deeply influenced by artists such as OMD, New Order and Kraftwerk, he also utilises an arsenal of analogue synths, evoking the synthpop sound of the 70’s and 80’s, while also being forward looking and sounding fresh.
Rodney Cromwell’s music has crossover appeal that equally embraces synthpop and indiepop. It’s no wonder that Rodney Cromwell has gained solid support from the likes of Malcolm Holmes (OMD) and Rusty Egan (Visage, Rich Kids) for this release, not to mention BBC6 Music (Steve Lamacq, Gideon Coe), Soho Radio (Pete Paphides), Radio 3 in Spain, many North American college radio stations and elsewhere in the world. As expressed by Malcolm Holmes of OMD: “Sounds like liquid gold. Age of Anxiety has renewed my faith in the digital age of electro pop”.
The ‘Black Dog’ EP features alternate cuts of album tracks, cranking the ‘analogue synth disco’ knob up to eleven. ‘Black Dog (Version)’ presents a merciless edit that turns the lengthy epic album track into the tightest radio friendly ode to depression you will ever hear. ‘You Will Struggle (Glitchy Disco Mix)’ was made for the dancefloor, landing in uncharted territory between Rex the Dog and ‘The Best of Divine’. Rod extends what the NME calls ‘offbeat wit’ to shine on ‘Barry Was An Arms Dealer (North Poindexter Mix)’, albeit with a dark reimagining that takes the track into death disco territory. Finally ‘Black Dog (Extended Version)’ offers a punchier reworking of the album cut, restoring the epic bass riffs and jaunty synths that has won the ‘Age of Anxiety’ closing track so much praise.
Hailing from Catford in South London, Rodney Cromwell is the solo project of Adam Cresswell, founding member of indie-folktronica band Saloon (who had four entries in John Peel’s Festive 50, recorded three Peel Sessions and had top 10 album of the year in The Sunday Times) and one half of electronic two-piece Arthur & Martha (acclaimed by the likes of NME, The Guardian and Artrocker). On this EP, singer Alice Hubley (Arthur & Martha, Cosines) also features on the songs ‘Black Dog’ and ‘You Will Struggle’.
Rodney Cromwell will be appearing on 30 January 2016 at Elecrowerkz, Islington, supporting Massive Ego as part of the Electro London series of events www.electrolondonfestival.com. Contact Happy Robots to be put on the guest list happyrobotsrecordings@gmail.com
On ‘Black Dog’:
“Possibly one of the best songs of 2015, ‘Black Dog’ recalls the pulsing post-punk miserablism of SECTION 25 and is embellished with the beauty of Cresswell’s Hooky bass” – The Electricity Club
“An absolute stormer”– XS Noise
“Bright & optimistic and stays with you long after the fade out”– You, The Night & The Music
LINKS:
http://www.facebook.com/happyrobotsrecords
http://twitter.com/robot_rocker
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZvCbaApGUVuQA7m7jaJtg/videos
http://soundcloud.com/happy-robots
http://rodneycromwell.bandcamp.com/
