IGGY POP

Every Loser (Atlantic/Gold Tooth)

If Iggy Pop’s 2019 album Free had been his last, then its composed and reminiscent finality – and its echoes of The Idiot, his seminal 1977 debut LP – would have made for a fine swansong. But the godfather of punk was never going to drift away into the shadows to play golf or tend to the garden in his Miami home.

Iggy’s 20th studio album Every Loser surpasses his post-millennial endeavours like Beat ‘Em Up or even Skull Ring for anger, with a fierce and serrated-edged groove cooked up by Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan, and multi-instrumentalist producer Andrew Watt. Opening track Frenzy ought to give you the gist, and Strung Out Johnny, which follows it, could well go down as one of Iggy’s best solo creations. Modern Day Rip Off is blisteringly hot too. Every Loser is the thrilling and confrontational sound of a true legend refusing to bow out gracefully or quietly.

words DAVID NOBAKHT