Solo albums
POPtical Illusion
About this album
Stylised as "POPtical Illusion" on the album's cover art. Released on June 14, 2024. Domino Records. CD, 2LP, limited 2LP + 7". Indie record stores have a version on translucent orange vinyl.
All vinyl versions have a different mix of the Shark-Shark track and don't include All To The Good. Customers who buy the 2LP will be able to hear the original version on the LP only and will also have access to the new version via the download card and the omitted track.
Tracks (CD):
- God Made Me Do It (don't ask me again)
- Davies and Wales
- Calling You Out
- Edge of Reason
- I'm Angry
- How We See The Light
- Company Commander
- Setting Fires
- Shark-Shark
- Funkball the Brewster
- All To The Good
- Laughing In My Sleep
- There Will Be No River
Japanese bonus tracks (CD):
The Japanese version, released on Beat Records, has two bonus tracks:
- Running Out
- Invention of Language
Tracks (2LP):
Side A:
Side B:
Side C:
- Company Commander
- Setting Fires
- Shark-Shark (vinyl mix)
Side D:
Extra tracks on the limited edition 2LP:
The limited 2LP (1000 copies) edition of the 2LP is released on pink & mink transparent vinyl. It comes with an illusionary twirling paper Objet and a bonus 7" single with two tracks:
- Beethoven In The Old West
- News Of Nicholas
Musicians:
John Cale: vocals, bass, synths, guitar, organ, electric piano, piano, sampletron, sampler, empirical Egyptan scale piano, drums, noises
Dustin Boyer: guitar, acoustic guitar
Nita Scott: backing vocals, bass, drum programming, samples, keyboards
Other credits:
Producers; John Cale, Nita Scott
Recording: Dustin Boyer
Lacquer Cut: Scott Stratton
Mastering: Mike Bozzi
Mixing: Mikaelin "Blue" Bluespruce`("Davies And Wales", "I'm Angry", "How We See The Light", " Company Commander", "Setting Fires", "Funkball The Brewster", "Laughing In My Sleep", "There Will Be No River); Seven Davis Jr. ("God Made Me Do It (Don't Ask Me Again)", "Calling You Out"", "Edge of Reason", "Shark-Shark")
Artwork: Bjorn Copeland
Paper engineering: Kelli Anderson
Design: Rob Carmichael, SEEN
Recorded at ARM Studio
Thanks:
Nita Scott - From whom all good and
great care and ideas flow in the making
of this music. Always grape fruit(!) for
your kindnesses and leadership in the
trenches.
Dustin Boyer - A clever musician knows
the value of critical engineering. Thanks
for indulging my impatient madness (NO
TUNERS ALOWED). Oh, and some subtle,
haunting guitars.
Mikaelin 'Blue' Bluespruce - The
rich details of Blue's mixes - sublime
confidence brings a steady flow of magic.
Seven Davis, Jr - One of the true
creatives I am so glad to have on my team.
You never miss what's inside the mind.
Justin Raisen - My kind of animal: lots of
gear, lots of heart!
Laurence Bell - Whose trust in my
process, no matter how long, means
everything.
Pushkar Ojha - Never short of ideas and
wields one of the gentlest prodding irons
around!
Jacqui Rice - Business with a heart of
gold.
Jessica Linker - 'Never say die' wins in
the end ! What a year it's been, ready for
the next one.
Bjorn Copeland, Rob Carmichael @ SEEN, Kelli Anderson, Clare McKinney, Harry Martin, Peter Berard, Colleen Maloney, Cyrus, Garrett, Erin, Corey, Alex, Aoife, Gillian, Francesca, Zara, Alex, Fiona S and everyone at Domino (US and UK), thanks for the extraordinary support! The entire team at Pitch Perfect, Chicago, NY. Mike Bozzi and everyone at BGM. Christopher Whent, Andy Woolliscroft, Sally G @ Primary. My extended ARM Fam - you're always a part of everything. A very special thanks to all who supported us on the road - was so good to see and hear you - we'll see you again soon!
Singles
Two singles with accompanying videos were released to promote the album's release.
How We See The Light
On March 26, 2024 the first single is released: How We See The Light. The video was directed by Pepi Ginsberg.
Shark-Shark
On May 8, 2024 Shark-Shark is released as the second single from the album. The video was directed by Abigail Portner.
Davies and Wales
On August 19, 2024 Davies and Wales is released as the third single from the album:
"........ I wanted it to feel like
summer......... That inexplicable
kind of freedom
coursing through our veins >>>>
when the days are long
and there's a veil of bliss
in all the dark cracks."
The video was directed by Jethro Waters:
"Davies and Wales is such a perfect example of the kind of things that only John Cale can do all at once: upbeat, melancholic, happy, shapeshifting, nostalgic, modern, beautiful heartache. There is such a melange of feelings packed into this song - his youth in Wales, his time in NYC and California - and I wanted to try and translate that time travel in a joyful, purposeful way."