Alan Lauris: Break

Dutch composer and pianist Alan Lauris went back to the 80s for his new album Break, the decade that was rules by keyboards, drum machines, and smooth production values. A lot of the music from that dominated the charts in that period has aged badly, but he found a way to make it interesting by straying from the safe routes every once and a while. By inviting Joe Giddey, a real cello player, and trumpeter William Rowley the songs get an extra kick that zeros and ones from a keyboard will have hard time to replicate.

Heartbreak is always helpful and the various stages of grief all get an outing on this album that takes a bow to Pet Shop Boys, Level 42 (just a bit, thankfully) and Soft Cell. Synthpop as a genre surely could use a shot in the arm to start breathing again, and Lauris' take on it is just what the doctor ordered.

Break is released via Canal Island Records (vinyl, CD, digital). Buy it from his website. Release date: April 11.

Tracks:

1. I Dream Of You In Black And White
2. The Pages Are Missing
3. The Songs
4. What Good Would That Do
5. Parades
6. Get Out The Way
7. Break
8. When I Lose My Grip
9. The Defence
10. I Read You Wrong

Live date:

• 04/13 Utrecht, Netherlands @ Warmoes
  (album release show - free entry)

» alanlauris.com