Life deserves to be as simple and happy as a Global
Goon album. With three albums under his belt, Johnny
Hawk has built a reputation as one of the most creative
and individual characters on the British electronic
scene, and his fourth album, Family Glue, demonstrates
once again that pop and avant-garde can happily cohabite
without having to make costly sacrifices.
The legend has it that Goon in chief Johnny Hawk spent
three years sharing a flat with Richard
D. James, Tom
Jenkinson, Chris Jeff
(Cylob) and Mike Dred (Chimera, Kosmik Kommando) after
moving from Liverpool to London in 1994. It was logical
to find him joining the Rephlex motley crew, and two
years later, his first album, Goon, was released
under critical acclaim. Embracing the label’s
musical ethic, Hawk soon became one of its best-loved
members. Following a single released in 1997, his second
album, Cradle Of History, landed a year later,
and continued to establish Hawk’s unique sound.
Two years on from Vatican Nitez, his third
album, Mr. Goon revives his cheesy electro chat up lines
and quirky melodies to create yet another compelling
slice of music. Published on the man’s own label,
J-HOK Records, Family Glue retains Hawk’s
characteristic touch, yet also appears to develop in
some slightly unexpected directions as the man integrates
all sorts of influences, from rock to easy listening
and funk to Ibiza-style arrangements.
Warm and funky, straightforward and addictive, this
album has been designed to enhance the life of those
who cross its path. Right from the first moments of
Electrostatic Bonj De Lonj, the listener is
drawn into Goonland and shown the delicacies on offer:
bootyliscious bass line, tuneful melody and humoristic
touches all the way through. It feels as this family
glue is rock-solid stuff, and everybody’s invited
to stick around. Who Gonched Ya? only reinforces
the feeling as the tempo accelerates and feet can’t
stop marking the beat. Never drifting far from this
twisted disco/funk, Hawk presents here a more accessible
and instantaneous collection of tracks than on previous
recordings, and his rare vocal excursions, especially
on the sun-drenched Hawaii, give his compositions
a more human touch. Often relying on very subtle, yet
disarmingly simple melodic lines, Hawks dares to go
where his peers don’t want to venture anymore.
At times reminiscent of Jake
Slazenger’s Makesaracket or Mike
& Rich’s
seminal Expert Knob Twiddlers, Johnny Hawk
proves once again that electronica can be tuneful, funky,
clever and full of humour, while remaining of very high
standard.
In turn sweet shop or horror show, Family Glue
is the work of man in perfect harmony with his musical
environment. This album is Hawk’s take on summery
beats and melodies, and is likely to keep everybody
dancing well into the darker part of the year. Forget
Aphex, Squarepusher
or Paradinas, Global
Goon is the one who’ll make you sweat this summer.
4.2/5 |
