Blue Poles is the fifth album from one of the most singular characters in Australian music. Sentimental and mournful, sardonic and surreal. Jack Ladder brings that towering and tender baritone to bear on tales of beauty, love, hope and redemption. A master of musical narrative, he conjures lyrics that celebrate the absurdity and sincerity of the human condition in songs that groove in subtle ways. Once again a crowd of musical influences – the kitchen sink drama of 60’s Scott Walker, the frenetic assault of early Brian Eno, the existential country of Will Oldham and the cold confidence of ‘I’m Your Man’ era Leonard Cohen – combine on the album to form an idiosyncratic sound that could be only his. Burke Reid produced HURTSVILLE (2011), Kim Moyes shaped Playmates (2014), but this time Jack Ladder takes total control of his creative process. “Blue Poles is the most melodic thing I’ve ever done”, he reflects. “I really pushed myself into some uncomfortable places.”
