Bobby Gillespie, Jehnny Beth – Utopian Ashes

Bobby Gillespie is known to alternative rock fans as the frontman of Scottish band Primal Scream. Jehnny Beth, on the other hand, was on the microphone with the English rock band Savages.

In 2017, the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist and the singer-songwriter, producer, presenter and actress began work on their first album together. 2021 it's ready.

"Utopian Ashes" is the name of the nine-song collection by the two. They are supported on the record by bassist Johnny Hostile as well as Bobby's band mates, guitarist Andrew Innes, pianist Martin Duffy and drummer Darrin Mooney.

Gillespie and Beth found inspiration in various country duets, for example from Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris or George Jones and Tammy Wynettes.

Content-wise, the album deals with the harsh reality of failing love. It's about the loss and lack of communication a married couple experiences when they realize their relationship is on the rocks. Gillespie said of the songwriting and the idea behind "Utopian Ashes," "When you write a song, you combine the personal and the fictional and create art. I was thinking about two people living alone, together but apart, existing and suffering in a mental malaise, moving on because of responsibilities and obligations." And also, "I wanted to put the pain back into the music. I don't hear a lot of that in modern rock music."

And the two have absolutely succeeded, as the Voarb singles "Remember We Were Lovers" and the album opener "Chase It Down" make clear. It quickly becomes clear: two have found each other here. "Utopian Ashes" by Bobby Gillespie and Jehnny Beth easily joins the tradition of great country-soul classics.

Reviews

"Friends of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Spiritualized and Primal Scream will enjoy have their joy, especially since the members of from Gillespie's band are in the mix are in the mix." (Good Times, August/September 2021)

"All set to music with a quiet, soulful mix of country, folk, rock and soul rarely heard since the '70s." (Audio, August 2021)