Iggy Pop’s latest release, Post Pop Depression, sees him forming a supergroup with the likes of guitarist and producer Joshua Homme of Queens of the Stone Age, Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Heldens and QOTSA/The Dead Weather guitarist Dean Fertita. This album grabbed my interest because I’m a bit of a sucker for anything with Joshua Homme’s name on it and he has frequently considered Iggy and the Stooges as a great influence on him. I very much enjoyed the most recent output from QOTSA which Dean Fertita was instrumental in. Furthermore, the overall production style for this album is very similar to that of a QOTSA album.

The overall feel of this record is quite dark, quirky, occasionally experimenting. Lyrically it can be a little weak, particularly on the opener with lyricisms such as “..under your skin..” “..the wall comes tumblin’ down..” etc. Furthermore, Iggy’s vocals are a little more reserved and not as energetic as his usual vocal style – occasionally using spoken word too. I am liking the guitar sounds on this album with their stoner rock style riffing, distortion and reverb. However, I found the drumming rather lacklustre, similar to that of the latest Arctic Monkeys release which felt dreary and boring.

I found the song ‘German Days’ intriguing as it moves between a 9/16 and 15/8 time signature. Also the song ‘Sunday’ is easily the catchiest with entertaining lyrics such as “this house is as slick as a senator statement” and some great female back-up vocals. This song also ends with a little orchestral intermission which – yet again – is another QOTSA stylistic touch. Another example of peculiar instrumentation is the quirky dampened vibraphone on ‘American Valhalla’.

Overall, Post Pop Depression had an enthralling, diverse sound and I found virtually nothing actively dislikeable about it but I do feel that the huge influence that Joshua Homme brings occasionally renders the album slightly inauthentic as an Iggy Pop album.

Fred Savage