The Future Bites – Steven Wilson

 

The Future Bites – Steven Wilson

by Pete Clemons

It could be argued that the highest achieving musical artists live by a different set of rules. There are so many common trappings and artists, who refuse to fall victim to them, find it key to those achievements. They also refuse to be known as a one trick pony. Additionally, true artists do not let others define their success. They do what they feel is right for them.

Like David Bowie, Kate Bush, Prince and others, Steven Wilson has created his own musical genre. And during his 30 year plus professional career Steven has continued to pull in all kinds of fans, at different times, from across the entire spectrum of music. Additionally, his reach has gone worldwide. And, as such, each of Steven's album releases tends to come with endless controversy and debate.

With each change in direction – which to be fair, Steven has done throughout his career, this is certainly not a new phenomena – has brought with it more than its fair share of destain and criticism.

With all that said, his latest release, 'The Future Bites', has seen Steven Wilson, in a sense, going full circle?. After all his first venture as a professional musician was with the more pop art oriented No-Man. And, of the tracks that have been drip fed so far, kind of suggests he is back in that field again albeit with the use of state of the art technology.

Steven has recently invested in a lot of different keyboards. And, for this project, Steven has moved away from the guitar. During a recent interview Steven admitted to getting bored with the guitar sound and, with his abilities, having taken the instrument as far as he could. And he is right. Most guitar based rock music is a variation of a previous theme. Its all been done before. That's not to take away the fact that some of it is still very good.

Influences have tended to dominate Steven Wilson releases. Just look at his playlists prior to an up and coming release. The last few years has also seen Steven being more impressed by individual songs and not so much from albums.

And these are the latest influences Steven seems to have taken on board for his latest release which is an exploration of the brain in the internet era. Why do people, for example, put stuff in their shopping basket but not pay for them?. And how has the algorithm been subtly allowed to control our thinking - more so than our political leaders?. 'The Future Bites', according to Steven, has been designed to create a mood and not a story.

The recent single 'Eminent Sleaze', is very electronic with programming and processed vocals. As is another drip fed track 'King Ghost'. But you need to hear the dropped out tracks within the context of the full album, to get the full effect, as they definitely grow on you after multiple listens. So for 'The Future Bites' Steven has drawn from the music of the now and not the past. It is less rock and more contemporary electronic. And, despite an abundance of bonus tracks the basic album is back to the good old fashioned forty minute format.

'The Future Bites' also has a more punchy sound. In part as it has been mixed by producer David Kosten who is well known for his work with the likes of Bat For Lashes, Everything Everything and Guillemots along with his own project Faultline

Recently, more contentious tracks, such as Perfect Life, Lazarus and Permanating have proved to have had the highest number of streams. But then come the one track critics. Maybe it is deliberate, maybe in this digital age, this is how music is promoted. But I do think that the time for drip feeding tracks should end. It would be good if artists, like Steven Wilson, just released an album unannounced. No slow burn or build up or releasing of individual tracks, no prior promotion.

'The Future Bites' is being released in Dolby Atmos. Put simply, this is the next step up from 5.1 surround sound. Dolby Atmos is 7.1.4 with the 4 being the number of speakers above your head. And, this album is one of the first of its kind. Trouble is though is that smartphones do not have access to multiple speaker placements. And that medium is how a lot of folk listen nowadays.

Touring his last album 'To the Bone' lasted the best part of eighteen months. It lasted for 145 concerts, taking in over 30 countries and over 100 cities around the world. It also saw Steven appears to be more comfortable in being the centre of attention. His reluctance to do so in the past was down to the fact that his early influences were bands like Pink Floyd who, as individuals, tended to shun the limelight. Going forward, and when the pandemic allows, Steven intends to play fewer shows but in larger venues.

Steven Wilson stresses he does not want to offend anyone by the style of music the album takes. But at the same time the listener needs to respect Steven's right to evolve in a way he sees fit to. That is his right as an artist. Your choice as a listener is to whether to buy or not. The Future Bites, which seems to have been around for an age now, eventually sees day of light during January 2021.