TEMPS

Party Gator Purgatory (Bella Union)

Party Gator Purgatory is the collective concept effort of a 40-strong international music collective and lockdown brainchild of standup comedian James Acaster.

If you hadn’t heard Acaster’s tales of his drumming days in The Wow! Scenario and The New Hardcore Skiffle Movement, you’re in for a treat with an album that favours experimentation and collaboration over genre. Piecing together the untamed moments of lyricism, brake-less rap, unsettling basslines and infectious pop melodies, Temps’ debut is anything but easy breezy, combining harsh tones, clashing and harmony, the sweet and the sour.

A keen drummer, Acaster grew up playing in various bands, his ear for music carrying through to his Perfect Sounds radio show and Perfect Sound Whatever book. here, stems were sent to various musicians he had interviewed – including Quelle Chris, John Dieterich and Seb Rochford – as this project too kshape.

A scrapbook of collected styles from spoken word to hip-hop to free jazz, Party Gator Purgatory is the equivalent of a music fan let loose, boundaryless and liberated by creative freedom. Just doing something for the fun of it: all creatives would like to be there just once, I’d imagine.

words EMMA WAY