Metamatic Vinyl & CDs

Review: A deeply reflective solo piano album that bridges the ambient side of synthpop/electronic pioneer Foxx's career with classical music. Largely composed this in the quiet, early hours of the morning, following one of his rare live performances at Kings Place, London, he creates a serene and evocative experience. The stillness of dawn, when the piano faces a misty valley at sunrise, serves as the perfect backdrop for Foxx's contemplative compositions. The album reflects Foxx's thoughts on the enduring influence of time and the people we encounter. Each note seems to resonate with memories and fleeting moments, creating a sense of calm introspection. Drawing on his experience with electronic textures, Foxx seamlessly blends ambient sounds with classical motifs, resulting in a series of compositions that are both haunting and beautiful. Each piece offers a glimpse into Foxx's emotional landscape, where the echoes of past experiences intertwine with a peaceful acceptance of the present. A tranquil, elegant work.

Review: John Foxx's Metamatic (45th Anniversary Edition) is a striking landmark in British electronic pop, a product of the late 70s sonic revolution. Recorded at Pathway Studios, the album emerged from a gritty eight-track cupboard in Islington. With Gareth Jones at the helm, Foxx distanced himself from conventional rock, diving deep into electronic sounds inspired by the dystopian visions of J.G. Ballard. The result is a minimalist yet provocative collection that paved the way for future genres. Metamatic remains an essential listen for any music aficionado.

Review: Among that coterie of visionary artists who left their bands to fly solo on the cusp of abundant riches and fame, John Foxx flew from Ultravox in 1980 to pursue his own creative vision. He quickly cemented his own style with albums like Metamatic and The Garden, but arguably delivered the fullest iteration of his sound on this 1983 album. The Golden Section straddles synth-pop and pop rock with ease, and it stands shoulder to shoulder with the greatest of the era. From his former band to Duran Duran and even moire niche concerns like Freur, this is the sound of the new dawn for pop music in the UK as the vast possibilities of synthesis were finally being understood.

Review: There's multi-talented, and then multi-talented. John Foxx is credited as singer, musician, artist, photographer, graphic designer, writer, teacher and lecturer, first making a name for himself up front of the new wave pioneers Ultravox (eventually handing the reigns over to Midge Ure), he presided over a period in the band's history that was less commercially successful, but incredibly forward thinking musically. This desire to keep pushing boundaries has rung true across Foxx's entire - and extensive - oeuvre, as Annexe, one of his solo efforts, goes to show. A pervading sense of darkness carries many of the tracks 'Dance With Me' being just one example, which contrasts the polished, highly synthesised productions, veering from the complex percussive patterns of 'Wings & A Wind' to the sparse, ghostly, near-spoken word operatics of 'A Woman On A Stairway'. Coldwave, some might call it, others would just say John Foxx.

Review: A founder member of Ultravox and all round synth pop godfather sits at the piano on his lonesome here, after many years of collaborating with Harold Budd and Ruben Garcia. The Arcades Project is a step backward into more refined, quiet artistry and minimal compositions with a candlelit late-night vibe and engaging and emotional flow. A text by Walter Benjamin formed part of the inspiration for the work and is "a sort of stroll through new ideas emerging from the city life of Paris in the 19th and early 20th century." The resulting sounds delightfully airy and inquisitive.

Review: Who said dramatic, grown up synth pop innovation died after its 1980s heyday? Certainly not us, which is good considering we're three decades further down the line and former-Ultravox guitarist Robin Simon has just teamed up with Hannah Peel, Benge and Foxx to deliver a veritable Casio and Moog opera packing enough immediate payoff to hook everyone in, and more than enough depth to keep even the most discerning ears coming back for more. With the writing and production process starting back in 2019, in a Cornish studio owned by Benge, it's understandable that nothing on 'Howl' feels rushed, but there's also a definite sense of the immediate about the record - this is something born in our time, crafted from things that have been happening around us in the recent past and present. From the abstract and challenging - 'Tarzan & Jane Regained''s abrasive edges - to the chilling ('The Dance''s dystopian wails) and punchy floor filling ('New York Times'), it's a masterclass in pushing forward where we thought were fully explored.