Photo Credit: George Hooker
Alternative solo-artist Whozyerman? has released new single, ‘A Simple Sharp Act’, which arrives with the announcement of his highly anticipated sophomore album, Belly of the Beast.
The announcement arrives after extensive praise for singles ‘Miles Away’ and ‘Long Stretch’ which have earned support across RTÉ Radio 1, Today FM, Newstalk, RTÉ 2FM, Red FM, Hot Press, The Thin Air and more.
Arriving on Friday, October 23rd, Belly of the Beast follows acclaimed debut album Blink, and transforms chance encounters and keen observation into a cast of unforgettable characters across the album.
Originally introduced to audiences as a member of the Waterford-via-Cork outfit O Emperor, Paul Savage emerged as the frontman of one of Ireland’s most distinctive bands of the 2010s, releasing three critically lauded albums which culminated in an RTÉ Choice Music Prize win for their final LP, Jason, in 2018.
Under the Whozyerman? moniker, Savage ventured into new sonic territory as a solo-artist with his 2022 debut album Blink The work embraced a more lo-fi electronic aesthetic, blending vibrant effluent textures around pulsing kosmische beats. The album, inspired by the peculiarities of time and place drew comparisons to Air, Stereolab and Broadcast – all delivered through Savage’s acute lyricism to the here and now.
The album was warmly received, earning a place among The Thin Air’s Top 20 Releases of 2022 and outlets such as Totally Dublin celebrating its unique blend of balmy and captivating electronica.
Savage says:
“I wanted to write from different character perspectives—drawing inspiration from people I often see in my area, or from fleeting encounters that stayed with me. Creating these character sketches gave me parameters to explore lyrics, themes, and moods , which in turn connected to my own personal experience of the area.”
The Irish Times has described Whozyerman?’s sound as:
“a quietly contemplative affair, unbound by convention and joyous in its idiosyncrasies.”
‘A Simple Sharp Act’ is track eight from the ten-track album, and tells the fictional story of a woman who murders her partner before heading to her local pub to sing karaoke.
Equal parts dark and comical, the song explores the strange coexistence of violence, performance and escapism, finding humour in the absurdity of carrying on as if nothing has happened.
Inspired by glimpsing a headline in a magazine and subsequent night of karaoke at a local pub in Thomas street, the single captures the nostalgic atmosphere of a disappearing era of music intertwined with spectacular drama.
As with previous releases, ‘A Simple Sharp Act’ will not be available on Spotify as part of Whozyerman?’s boycott of the streaming platform.
The single and forthcoming album will be available to stream or purchase across all other major streaming services, including Bandcamp.
‘A Simple Sharp Act’ cover art
BELLY OF THE BEAST TRACKLISTING
01 My Meat, Your Poison
02 Miles Away
03 Book Reader
04 Coming Alive
05 Long Stretch
06 Belly of the Beast
07 Read All About It
08 A Simple Sharp Act
09 Toe to Toe
10 Someone’s Waiting
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