While many fans and pundits are still reeling from the release of ‘Aerial Love’, the first single from Daniel Johns’ new solo EP of the same name, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to those who’ve been following the trajectory that the Silverchair frontman’s career has taken since first ripping into the international music scene with the timeless Australian classic, Frogstomp.
While Johns and his band first emerged already battling incessant and admittedly justified Nirvana comparisons (of course, one has to remember that the band had barely hit their mid-teens when their first single came out so certain considerations about their creative maturity must be made), Silverchair proved themselves far more than just another post-grunge outfit.
They quickly showed that they were as capable of penning sweeping epics like 2002’s Diorama as the unrelenting mosh rock displayed on their first three albums. On 2007’s Young Modern, the band’s final album, Johns and co completely flipped the script on their fans, unveiling an album comprised of shimmering quasi-glam rock and cryptic missives drenched in elegantly produced guitar and keyboard layers.
All the while, Johns was keeping busy in his spare time, too. Pairing up with local electronic luminary Paul Mac for 2000’s experimental I Can’t Believe It’s Not Rock and then 2004’s The Dissociatives, which combined Mac’s knack for warm electronic soundscapes and John’s obvious appreciation for them. Not to mention his ability to work within such parameters, often incorporating his ear for melody and his sticky falsettos.
So those gobsmacked by Aerial Love should be more vigilant next time they pursue Johns’ considerable discography. This is hardly the first time his dabbled in experimentation or electronic sounds. If anything, Aerial Love is Daniel Johns at his most free.
While the album has once again generated its share of comparisons, with names like Faker and Ocean consistently bandied about since the release of the EP’s first single, a soulful slow-burner characterised by a throbbing drum beat, gliding synths, and again, Johns’ smooth falsetto, Johns has once again proven himself to be a poised and even audacious songsmith.
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Indeed, each track on the release shared the lead single’s tasteful production, naturally a result of involvement from New Zealand producer Joel Little, best known for lending his chops to fellow Kiwi Lorde’s sterling debut album, Pure Heroine.
On Aerial Love, Little’s presence is felt throughout, with his spaced-out, Eno-esque, aggressively modern production taking Johns’ heartfelt songs to heights that would have been otherwise untapped.
However, opener ‘Preach’ proves a particularly rousing highlight. The opening track, produced by electronic duo Damn Moroda, is an extravagantly produced gospel-tinged confessional that sees Johns laying himself bare. While it could pose an overwhelming opener for some listeners, Aerial Love is itself a confronting listen at times.
“Change my old ways / Take a piece of the future“, Johns sings on the title single and while some commenters may say it works as a maxim for the album as a whole, Johns has hardly changed his ways on Aerial Love, he’s just doing what he’s always done, just a little less restrained.
Daniel John’s Aerial Love is now available via EMI
