Strange Dance
Studio album by
Philip Selway
Released24 February 2023
StudioEvolution Recording Studios (Oxford)
GenreAlternative rock[1]
Length46:55
LabelBella Union
ProducerMarta Salogni
Philip Selway chronology
Let Me Go OST
(2017) 		Strange Dance
(2023)
Singles from Strange Dance
  1. "Check for Signs of Life"
    Released: 25 October 2022
  2. "Picking Up Pieces"
    Released: 9 January 2023
  3. "Strange Dance"
    Released: 8 February 2023

Strange Dance is the third studio album by the English musician Philip Selway. It was released on 24 February 2023 via Bella Union. It comes almost nine years after Selway's previous studio album, Weatherhouse, not including Selway's composition of the soundtrack to the film Let Me Go in 2017.[2] The album received generally positive reviews.

Content

Selway described his vision for the project as "a Carole King record if she collaborated with the pioneering electronic composer Daphne Oram and invited her to drum on it".[3] Contributors include Marta Salogni, who also produced the album, and Hannah Peel, Adrian Utley of Portishead and Quinta.[3][2][4] Selway chose not to drum on the album, finding he was out of practice and "not in the right mindset", and enlisted the Italian drummer Valentina Magaletti.[5]

The album cover features a piece by the abstract painter Stewart Geddes.[6]

Release

"Check for Signs of Life" was released as the first single on 25 October 2022, followed by "Picking Up Pieces" on 9 January 2023, and “Strange Dance” on 8 February 2023.[7] Strange Dance was released on 24 February 2023 via Bella Union.[8]

Alongside the standard release, the album will receive a deluxe edition for vinyl containing a second LP called Liminal, consisting of pieces Selway composed for the film Carmilla and the BBC Radio 3 play Sea Longing, alongside additional prints by Geddes.[3]

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic68/100[14]
Review scores
SourceRating
Clash8/10[9]
DIY[10]
musicOMH[11]
Pitchfork5.8/10[12]
PopMatters6/10[13]
Uncut7/10[14]
AllMusic[1]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Philip Selway

Strange Dance track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Little Things"3:34
2."What Keeps You Awake at Night"6:56
3."Check for Signs of Life"4:21
4."Picking Up Pieces"4:28
5."The Other Side"4:11
6."Strange Dance"5:57
7."Make It Go Away"3:59
8."The Heart of It All"4:14
9."Salt Air"4:45
10."There'll Be Better Days"4:30
Total length:46:55

Charts

Chart performance for Strange Dance
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[15] 96
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[16] 66
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[17] 8

References

  1. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Phil Selway - Strange Dance". Allmusic. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  2. ^ a b Anderson, Carys (26 October 2022). "Radiohead's Philip Selway Announces New Solo Album Strange Dance, Shares "Check for Signs of Life"". Consequence. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Philip Selway – Strange Dance". Bandcamp. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  4. ^ Kreps, Daniel (26 October 2022). "Radiohead Drummer Philip Selway Announces New Solo LP 'Strange Dance'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  5. ^ Jack, Malcolm (25 January 2023). "Interview: Radiohead legend Philip Selway takes us on a Strange Dance". The Big Issue. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  6. ^ Westall, Mark (15 February 2023). "New exhibition by Radiohead's Philip Selway & painter Stewart Geddes opens next week". FAD Magazine. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  7. ^ Pappis, Konstantinos (8 February 2023). "Radiohead's Philip Selway Unveils New Single 'Strange Dance'". Our Culture Mag. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  8. ^ Qureshi, Arusa (26 October 2022). "Radiohead's Philip Selway announces new solo album 'Strange Dance'". NME. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  9. ^ "Philip Selway - Strange Dance". Clash. 23 February 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  10. ^ Martin, Bella (24 February 2023). "Philip Selway - Strange Dance review". DIY. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  11. ^ Hogwood, Ben (24 February 2023). "Philip Selway - Strange Dance". musicOMH. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  12. ^ Cush, Andy (1 March 2023). "Philip Selway: Strange Dance Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  13. ^ Garatt, John (22 February 2023). "Philip Selway: Strange Dance (Album Review)". PopMatters. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Strange Dance by Phil Selway Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  15. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  16. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  17. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 March 2023.


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