George "The Screaming Pope" Bolton has been killing it in the electronic music scene for decades. He's just dropped his new album "Our Love Is Music" and it's his most ambitious work to date. This album has everything, dancefloor bangers, cinematic epics, and laidback ambient vibes. It flows so smoothly between different styles. You get taken on a journey as you listen.
Right from the get-go, the title track "Our Love is Music" grabs you with its effervescent synths, crisp drums, and slapping bassline that'll have your feet moving. Then "Hands On You" brings things down with a lush groove anchored by a sublime bass performance.
Big standouts were "Sleeping Alone" and "Brown Eyes Blinking." On those tracks, Bolton shows his skills as a soundscape architect, crafting super cinematic vibes with perfectly layered keys, strings, and vocals. "Love Penitentiary" takes a darker turn with moody guitars and strained vocals. And "Favorite Mistake" lives up to its name - it's the kind of track you want to repeat all night on the dancefloor.
Though electronic production is at its core, The Screaming Pope shapes complete songs with full-bodied arrangements. "Morning Light" brings the perfect fusion of instrumental textures and engrossing vocal treatments. The title of the softly cascading "Self Love" is fitting because of its tranquil, romantic mood achieved through stunning instrumentation.
On the penultimate track "The Paradox Program", The Screaming Pope has shed all inhibitions, letting his colored flag fly with an unpredictable piece full of dizzying sonic detours. He brings the expansive trip full circle with the jazzy, synth-fueled coda "Opening New Doors", aptly leaving the listener with a sense of optimism, and a renewed spirit of exploration.
With "Our Love Is Music", The Screaming Pope has truly delivered the album he was born to make - a cohesive masterpiece that brings different vibes together while honoring electronic music's past and pushing boldly into the future. At just over 30 minutes with not a single boring moment, it pulls you in for repeat listens from front to back. The warmth and artistry of "Our Love Is Music" is a pleasure. The full album is now available to stream on all major platforms.