I’d quite be moved to consider Ben Ivory as the Peter Pan of German electronic pop.
Having been on our radar for a while now, every so often rising above the underground to let us in on his current precision made creative effort. Well that is way it was all mapped out in thought until recently that is. As with the release of debut album “Neon Cathedral”, Ivory became disenchanted by the trappings which came into play when inked under the steerage of a major label. So, much so Ivory promptly reconsidered the focus, taking back creative control and re-released the whole thing plus bonuses under his own label.
Good for Ben, but as we know this luxury is a rare occurrence under today’s rubber stamping of music artist contractual politics.
Going forward in his new found self-controlled environment Ben’s approach is less glossy these days. Gone is the facade of highly propulsive, crashing EDM projection which is now exchanged in favour of a near skeletal framework of industrially alternative, punchy rhythm making. Supporting Ben’s determinedly, eclectically cool vocal tones.
With this sound locked in place, current single “Gold” see’s the visionary on a mission in good over evil, or more in quest of finding a good hearted companion amongst a throng of vacuous souls whose company doggedly dominates his life. It serves as a warning not to sell ourselves short, find that someone who accepts the whole you for who you are, the good and the flaws. As humans we may strive for perfection but we are all flawed, even if we might at times think otherwise.
The visual accompaniment is keen to extend upon these themes of searching, highlighting the odd stumble along the way in an artily bathed, collective layering of atmospheric imagery. Made up of confined spaces and corridors. Ultimately replete with scenes showing shoals of swimming fishes, adding weight to the commonly used phrase – ‘there’s plenty more fish in the sea’. Just becareful one and all that it’s not a shark you reel in !
I now know this much, Ben Ivory pop artist version 2, is playing right into my appreciation of dramatic dark pop dynamics. My hope is now that Ben is back in the musical flow, that it keeps on coming. I need a new focus in this direction now that Hurts have presumably all promo’d out “Surrender”.