Black Country Disco
| Black Country Disco | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 14 September 2020 | |||
| Recorded | 2019–2020 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 28:24 | |||
| Label | 1609 (Self-released) | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Tom Aspaul chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Black Country Disco | ||||
| ||||
Black Country Disco is the debut studio album by British singer-songwriter Tom Aspaul, self-released on 14 September 2020. Following his previous mixtapes, Revelation (2015) and Lamentations (2018), the record received critical acclaim, particularly for its cohesion, songwriting and themes of heartbreak and nostalgia.
The album is a concept album with a specific narrative structure, sonically inspired by disco from the 70s and 80s and primarily produced and co-written with Israeli producer and songwriter Gil Lewis. Described by Aspaul himself as being a "break-up album, written entirely in sequence", he lyrically explores the end of a long-term relationship, leaving London and returning to his hometown of Wolverhampton in the Black Country after 15 years away.[1]
Critics compared the album's sound to contemporary artists such as Jessie Ware and Róisín Murphy, who also released disco-inspired LPs during 2020, commenting that Black Country Disco was part of a "pandemic disco revival".[2] An independent release, the record was included amongst several year-end lists and touted by one critic as "a solid contender for album of the year."[3]
Black Country Disco was succeeded by its remix album, Black Country Discothèque, released on 16 April 2021, featuring collaborations with Kim Wilde, MNEK, Bright Light Bright Light and Brendan Maclean.[4]
Background
Primarily known as a songwriter for artists such as Celeste, Kylie Minogue and Louise, Tom Aspaul has been releasing his own music since debut single "Indiana" in 2013. A series of "life changing events"[5] forced Aspaul to leave behind the music industry in London and return to his native Wolverhampton. The move kickstarted a series of songs and demos and it was here that the bulk of Black Country Disco was conceived, written and recorded.
Named for an industrial area of the West Midlands, the album's lyrics contain several tongue-in-cheek local references, with mentions of Wolverhampton's area-code, its town motto and both the M6 motorway and West Midlands Metro that run through the city - the latter of which agreed to allow Aspaul to film at one of its stations.[6]
Composition
A year-long collaboration back and forth with London-based producer Gil Lewis - the album's track list corresponds to the order in which the song's demos were written. The record is "split evenly in half" - the first half exploring the terminal breakdown of Aspaul's relationship and the second half celebrating his move back to the West Midlands. Inspired by Madonna's 2005 album Confessions on a Dancefloor, the album's two halves are sequenced and blended so that they are played almost continuously without any gaps.[7]
The majority of the album is produced by Lewis - however in order to finish the project and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Aspaul recorded his vocals remotely and produced the final two tracks alone - becoming his first production credits. Aspaul and Lewis' production touches on Italo-disco, 80s synthpop, Giorgio Moroder and other classic disco references.
Lyrically the album has been described as "pinballing between heartbreak and revivification"[8] with Aspaul's "irrepressible queer sensibility" tackling themes that "aren’t necessarily subjects taken on in music".[9] Whilst also dealing with heavy subject matter, the record is noted for its light-hearted pop culture nods, including references to Victoria Beckham song titles and quotes from the 2015 horror film - The Witch.[10]
Aspaul has described the album as "cathartic" and "incredibly daunting", stating that it represents "an intense period of change" as well as enabling him to "appreciate and learn to love the Midlands all over again."[7]
Release
The album's name and logo were announced and revealed on 14 September 2019, exactly one year before its eventual release in 2020. The pre-sale for the record's crowdfunded vinyl commenced on 14 July 2020, specifically chosen for being 'Black Country Day',[11] which takes place on the same date.
Four official singles and one promotional single were "drip-fed" throughout the year in the run up to the album's release. Inspired by Lady Gaga's third album ARTPOP, a ten-minute short film, Black Country Disco: The Movie premiered October 26, 2020, including segments from three album cuts, namely "W.M.", "01902" and "Tender". The film was directed by Sam Taylor-Edwards, featuring actor Omari Douglas and shot in and around the Black Country.[12]
The album's consistent visual identity and retro aesthetic has been particularly praised.[13] The artwork draws inspiration from "classic record sleeves and film posters from the 70s" by artists such as Drew Struzan and is a hand-painted collage of Aspaul imposed over the Black Country skyline, incorporating several existing and former Wolverhampton landmarks. The Black Country Disco logo pays tribute to "the region’s rock heritage", specifically Birmingham bands such as Black Sabbath and Electric Light Orchestra.[14][13]
Aspaul announced Black Country Disco: The Book, published by Polari Press, documenting the conception, creation and release of the album in 2021. Later the same year, Tom embarked on his first sold-out UK headline tour, The Revenge Body Tour, in support of the album.[15]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Albumism |  [16] |
| God Is In The TV | 10/10[17] |
| Herald Sun |  [18] |
Black Country Disco received critical acclaim upon release. GQ described the album as "a deliciously swift, utterly luscious dance-friendly chamber opera".[19] The Guardian writer Michael Cragg named Black Country Disco and its fourth single, "Tender" amongst the "albums and tracks of the year 2020", respectively.[20] Writing for Gay Times, critic Sam Damshenas thought that Aspaul had "created the queer disco album of the year" and "one of the best pop albums of 2020".[21]
Herald Sun writer Cameron Adams said Aspaul's "debut neatly slips into the current disco revival", comparing it to Donna Summer and describing the song "Tender" as "the kind of sad pop the Pet Shop Boys excel in". In a five-star review for Albumism, Quentin Harrison says "to call this album anything other than a masterpiece would be grossly criminal". Sophie Williams named the album a "solid contender for album of the year", in her review for Stereoboard, describing it as "built on ironclad hooks, razor-sharp songwriting". Nic Kelly from Project U praised the album for being "exciting, brilliantly written, confessional pop music with a disco twist".
In a piece for The Forty-Five, El Hunt included Aspaul amongst artists "shaking up the pop landscape in 2020 and beyond", such as Rina Sawayama and Ava Max, writing that Black Country Disco is "easily one of the best albums of the year – even if it doesn’t always get shouted about with the rest of the pop squad."[22]
Year-end lists
| Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albumism | Albumism's 100 Best Albums of 2020 | 40
|
[23] |
| Quentin Harrison's 10 Favorite Albums of 2020 | 3
| ||
| Mark J. Marraccini's 10 Favorite Albums of 2020 | 9
| ||
| God Is In The TV | Albums of The Year for 2020 | 30
|
[24] |
| The Guardian | Alim Kheraj's Top Albums of 2020 | 8
|
[25] |
| Michael Cragg's Top Albums of 2020 | 20
| ||
| Gay Times | The 20 best albums of 2020 by LGBTQ+ artists | — | [26] |
| Uproxx | The 2020 Uproxx Music Critics Poll | 581
|
[27] |
| Steven J. Horowitz's Picks | 10
|
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Black Country Intro" |
|
| 0:56 |
| 2. | "Close 2 Me" |
| Lewis | 2:46 |
| 3. | "Carnelian" |
| Lewis | 2:48 |
| 4. | "Tender" |
| Lewis | 3:08 |
| 5. | "Traces" |
| Lewis | 3:16 |
| 6. | "Euston" |
|
| 1:07 |
| 7. | "W.M." |
| Lewis | 3:14 |
| 8. | "Dead Already (Save Yourself)" |
| Lewis | 2:49 |
| 9. | "01902" |
| Aspaul | 5:27 |
| 10. | "Black Country Disco" |
| Aspaul | 2:52 |
| Total length: | 28:24 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11. | "W.M. (Midland Metro Extended Version)" |
| Lewis | 7:15 |
| Total length: | 35:38 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Everyday" | Lewis | 2:54 | |
| Total length: | 38:32 | |||
Black Country Discothèque
| Black Country Discothèque | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remix album by | ||||
| Released | 16 April 2021 | |||
| Length | 68:21 | |||
| Label | 1609 | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Tom Aspaul chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Black Country Discothèque | ||||
| ||||
A remix album, titled Black Country Discothèque, featuring collaborations with Kim Wilde, MNEK, Bright Light Bright Light and Brendan Maclean was announced for release on 16 April 2021,[29] preceded by the singles "The Program" (with Funk LeBlanc & Madeleine Wood), "Tender 2" (with Funk LeBlanc)[30] and "Traces" (MNEK Remix), respectively.
A Soviet inspired music video for "The Program", directed by Dan Hett and Omari Douglas, was released 19 February.[31]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Black Country Intro" (Tom Ashlee Remix) | 1:30 |
| 2. | "Close 2 Me (feat. Foxgluvv)" (Hen Remix) | 3:26 |
| 3. | "Carnelian" (Bright Light Bright Light Remix) | 3:57 |
| 4. | "Tender" (Eric Spike Remix) | 3:04 |
| 5. | "Traces" (MNEK Remix) | 3:54 |
| 6. | "Euston" (Stats Remix) | 4:43 |
| 7. | "W.M. (feat. Kim Wilde)" (Initial Talk Remix) | 3:56 |
| 8. | "Dead Already (Save Yourself)" (lau.ra Remix) | 3:47 |
| 9. | "01902 (feat. Bronze Avery)" (Bronze Avery Remix) | 3:12 |
| 10. | "Black Country Disco" (Max Lawrence Remix) | 4:12 |
| 11. | "The Program (with Funk LeBlanc & Madeleine Wood)" | 3:42 |
| 12. | "Tender 2 (with Funk LeBlanc)" | 3:40 |
| 13. | "Wanna Love U Boy (feat. Michael Medrano)" | 3:16 |
| 14. | "Prime Time (feat. Brendan Maclean)" | 3:12 |
| 15. | "B.C.D. Megamix (with Country Club Martini Crew)" | 4:27 |
| 16. | "W.M." (Midland Metro Extended Mix) | 7:15 |
| 17. | "01902" (Deliciously Extended Mix) | 7:08 |
| Total length: | 68:21 | |
Notes
- "Wanna Love U Boy" (featuring Michael Medrano) is a cover of "Wanna Love You Girl" (featuring Pharrell Williams) by Robin Thicke.
- "Prime Time" (featuring Brendan Maclean) is a cover of "Prime Time" by the Tubes from the album Remote Control.
Release history
| Date | Format | Version | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 September 2020 | Black Country Disco | 1609 | |
| 16 April 2021 | Black Country Discothèque |
References
- ^ Damshenas, Sam (17 September 2020). "Tom Aspaul on how he created the queer disco album of the year". Gay Times. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ Harrison, Quentin (11 October 2020). "Tom Aspaul's Debut Album 'Black Country Disco' Signifies the Arrival of a Vibrant New Voice in Modern Pop". Albumism. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ Williams, Sophie. "Things We Love This Week: Tom Aspaul, Keaton Dekker, HYYTS". Stereoboard. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ "Tom Aspaul Releases 'The Program' With Funk LeBlanc and Madeleine Wood Ahead of Remix Album 'Black Country Discothèque'". Culture Fix. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ Williams-Chalmers, Jeremy. "Interview with Tom Aspaul". Yorkshire Times. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ "Metro on the right track with top recording artist". Transport For West Midlands. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ a b Stern, Bradley (14 September 2020). "Tom Aspaul's Gorgeous, Gay Dance Floor Triumph". MuuMuse. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ Harrison, Quentin (11 October 2020). "Tom Aspaul's Debut Album 'Black Country Disco' Signifies the Arrival of a Vibrant New Voice in Modern Pop". Albumism. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ Ali, Jon. "Tom Aspaul Finds Light Through Darkness On His Glorious Debut". Jon Ali. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ Best, Lloyd (14 September 2020). "Tom Aspaul - Black Country Disco". God Is In The TV. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ Kelly, Nic. "How Tom Aspaul Quit The City & Made One Of The Year's Most Joyous Records In 'Black Country Disco'". Project U. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ Turnbull, Michael. "TOM ASPAUL PRESENTS…BLACK COUNTRY DISCO: THE MOVIE". Loverboy. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ a b Cragg, Michael (6 December 2019). "'You associate it with metal, not flares': will the West Midlands embrace disco-pop?". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ "Wax Heart with Tom Aspaul". QRates. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ Harrison, Quentin (30 May 2022). "Tom Aspaul Flips His Script & Sound on 'Life In Plastic'". Albumism. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
- ^ Harrison, Quentin (11 October 2020). "Tom Aspaul's Debut Album 'Black Country Disco' Signifies the Arrival of a Vibrant New Voice in Modern Pop". Albumism. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ Best, Lloyd (14 September 2020). "Tom Aspaul – Black Country Disco (Self Released)". God Is In The TV. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ Adams, Cameron. "Live your best weekend with our roundup of the hottest albums, movies, games and apps". Herald Sun. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "10 Coolest things of the week". GQ. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ Cragg, Michael (18 December 2020). "Guardian albums and tracks of 2020: how our writers voted". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ Damshenas, Sam (26 October 2020). "Jump into Tom Aspaul's queer time machine for Black Country Disco: The Movie". Gay Times. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ Hunt, El (2 December 2020). "Meet The Pop Disruptors". The Forty-Five. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ "Albumism's 100 Best Albums of 2020".
- ^ "Albums of The Year for 2020". 16 December 2020.
- ^ Music, Guardian (18 December 2020). "Guardian albums and tracks of 2020: how our writers voted". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ RAZA-SHEIKH, ZOYA (28 December 2020). "The 20 best albums of 2020 by LGBTQ+ artists". Gay Times. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
- ^ "THE 2020 UPROXX MUSIC CRITICS POLL". Uproxx. 15 December 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "Tom Aspaul - Black Country Disco". Tidal. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ White, Jordan. "Tom Aspaul – 'The Program'". Happy People. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ Harrison, Quentin (24 February 2021). "NEW MUSIC WE LOVE: Tom Aspaul's "Tender 2"". Albumism. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ Robledo, Jordan (20 February 2021). "Tom Aspaul has drops new music video for his 80's-inspired pop banger The Program". Gay Times. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ "Black Country Discothèque". Tidal. Retrieved 21 April 2021.