Ex-Virgin Prune, Gavin Friday, delivers Ecce Homo; his first solo album in thirteen years since 2011’s Catholic.
Released: 25th October 2024
Label: BMG
Format: 2CD / Vinyl / Digital
13 YEARS
It has been thirteen years since Gavin Friday released his last solo record. Catholic was released to great acclaim; as much of Friday’s work has been. His work as an artist; sonically, visually, aesthetically has always seen praise. He is lifelong friends with Bono and has provided plenty of advice for U2 in the creative department for many years. Ecce Homo arrives off the back of several singles that have whetted the appetite for more.
ECCE HOMO
Opening with an Eastern tinge, Ecco Homo opens up with LoveSubZero. A lamenting piano and Friday’s low raspy voice give way to a thumping beat. There are fragments of Underworld in the beat and in the ‘love sub zero’ vocal refrain. The lay person you could swear it was Karl Hyde.
The title track wastes no time in getting going. It holds a spiky message of fighting back and making sure that you fight fire with fire. Musically, there is a European bounce to the beat. Friday’s vocal is impassioned and pertinent. His timbre shifts up and down his register in various parts of the song. Operatic vocals raise the song higher.
THE CHURCH OF LOVE
Depeche Mode have to be a touching point, musically, for The Church Of Love. The tempo is a little lighter but the vocal work does not let up. Sultry backing vocals enhance the story of the song which deals with ensuring that love is the only thing we worship.
Religion is also front and centre on the poignant Stations Of The Cross. Dedicated to the sadly departed Sinéad O’Connor, the song again has a slower tempo. Gavin Friday deals with the heavy religious subject matter. He, like many Irish people (and Sinéad O’Connor herself), has had a tumultuous relationship with the church and religion. For anyone that is a fan of Ulver’s The Assassination of Julius Caesar record, Stations Of The Cross will appeal.
LADY ESQUIRE
Lady Esquire opens up side two in flirty fashion. Gavin Friday uses his best raspy Leonard Cohen tone atop a glam rock stomp. References to Diamond Dogs can only point to David Bowie and his influence. A delicate clarinet solo appears when you least expect it before the song enters the home straight, but not before a reference to his past and The Virgin Prunes.
When The World Was Young is another reflective piece that name checks Friday’s youth that was well documented on U2’s song, Cedarwood Road. The song adds more obvious electronics that were evident on the opening pair of songs. The idea of love overcoming all is prevalent once more – as far as positive reinforcements goes, Ecco Homo is clearly a set of songs drenched in positivity.
THE BEST BOYS IN DUBLIN
Lavish is a word you could use for The Best Boys In Dublin. A short two minute tribute to Stan and Ralfie, Friday’s dogs, The Best Boys In Dublin is draped in gorgeous orchestral arrangements. It’s tender and emotional.
Tender is a way to describe the ending of Ecce Homo. Lamento is another beautiful piece of music full of love and longing. ‘Hurt is a dark and vacant room, and hate is the thing that comes to soon,’ sings Friday. He asks us to hold on to our heart. The backing vocals are lilting and when the songs explodes in into its majestic cacophony, it is spine tingling.
DELUXE
Ecce Homo is eight songs long. Each one is a keeper and makes up side A and side B on the vinyl edition. A deluxe CD version is available with several extra tracks. As well as a lamenting reprise of When The World Was Young, there is the short and scathing Behold The Man.
Cabarotica is an unashamed piece of glitzy pop. Ecce Homo is produced by Soft Cell’s Dave Ball and Michael Heffernan – Cabarotica has a very 80’s feel and sees Friday turning another nod to Bowie in his vocal.
Ecce Homo is a fantastic album full of brilliantly introspective and thoughtful songs that are invariably deep. Whilst the subject matter is heavy, the album’s overarching message is one of love and prosperity. Friday lays bare his demons cathartically but seeks to move forward emphatically.
Listen to the title track from Ecce Homo by Gavin Friday.
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