AL USHER – THE EVENINGS / THE VISITORS

A lot can happen in a decade: children, national self-harm, mid-life crisis and a side order of pestilence to boot. At Misericord this is all grist for the mill and for Al Usher – returning to our so-occasional-it’s-taking-the-piss label for the third time after his Gnanfou and Hilversum EPs – the impetus for two inspired pieces of chamber disco-not-disco ‘The Evenings’ and ‘The Visitors’. Adding an off-kilter pop sensibility to his musical arsenal, Al has written his first songs, grappling with parenthood, ageing and post-Brexit identity with self-deprecation and poignancy. Vocals are provided by partner Jeanette whose immaculate diction conjures Sarah Cracknell, Jane Weaver or Would-Be-Goods by way of Neil Tennant. These songs haven’t left our heads since we first heard them in demo form, and label founder and Al’s Partial Arts partner-in-crime Ewan Pearson is on duties for additional production and mix, alongside a Sleeping Bag-ish disco re-rub of ‘The Evenings’ on the B-side for club use. This is a strictly limited vinyl release ahead of a full Al Usher LP due on Prins Thomas’ Internasjonal in the coming year – we’re honoured to be kicking off Al’s return to discerning listeners and dancefloors with this stunning 12”.