English musician Charles Howl returns with his second album My Idol Family, which follows on from his 2015 debut Sir Vices. Enthralled by soundtracks and pop music in all its forms, Howl updates classic motifs to create a signature aesthetic. Introducing strings and lush orchestration to dazzling effect, he is comfortable with both wide-open song structures and intimate headphone tracks. With this album Howl reveals his true talent as a songwriter and arranger, mixing well-crafted storytelling with a dry wit, it is also more ambitious, touching on themes of idol worship, friends and the family unit. The album title emerged from the overarching themes of family and idols, and how people idolise celebrities and try to emulate their lifestyle. This is encapsulated in the song "Meet Lou's Needs", about so many people in music trying to copy Lou Reed's look, music, attitude and his drug habits. As Charles says; "I love Lou Reed but I don't want to see shit imitations of him every time you go see a show or after party." Idols are also flagged up in the song "John Albarn", where he imagines two of his musical heroes as one seamless being - John Lennon + Damon Albarn = John Albarn. The opening track "Death of Print" tells of a 1970s zine in Berkeley which got shut down and disbanded a group of friends. At times rapturously melodic and others jarringly off-kilter, there's a real variety of sounds on My Idol Family. Howl didn't want to be afraid to get cheesy with this record and as a result, it feels more honest. Without the pressure of having to be faithful to one particular genre or trying to fit in to the favoured psych revival of recent years, he draws on eclectic influences to embrace a wider scope, thus creating something that sounds refreshingly unique and remarkably modern. RIYL: Leonard Cohen, Pulp, Deer Hunter, John Lennon, Blur, The Proper Ornaments, Scott Walker
