Jarvis Cocker's Long-Awaited "More": A Return to Britpop's Roots
- Written by Oliver Creutz
- 4 Min
Revitalized Britpop Vibes in Pulp's Resurgence - Britpop Revival: Resurgence of Iconic 90s Music Scene in the UK
It's said that there's a time for everything, and it seems that time has come for an English band to reclaim the spotlight: Pulp. The 1990s were divided, with the music scene split between the adoring fans of Blur and Oasis. It was a decade of British pop music that shone brighter than the ’60s since the Beatles. And as every song, every number one hit, inflated the egos of the singing superstars, one man emerged from the haze, a quirky outsider, the eccentric pop god named Jarvis Cocker.
In the fall of 1995, Pulp's time had come, and it was marvelous. Their album "A Different Class" became the soundtrack for those who didn't fit into the norm. The album is considered one of the best Britpop albums, ranking number one by Pitchfork, and rightly so. Pulp followed up in 1998 with the sultry album "This is Hardcore," an elegant elegy of decay, an album as glamorous as an incurable disease. "We Love Life" from 2002 only managed a few weeks in the charts before fading into obscurity, and Pulp became history - a history that everyone looked back on with fond memories. Pulp had had their time and their hour. The true greatness of an artist lies in not imposing themselves on the world. And master of this is Jarvis Cocker.
A friend once shared a story of how, a few years ago in London, she answered her door one evening to find Jarvis Cocker standing there in a kind of bathrobe. "Oh sorry, wrong door," he said and moved on.
Fast forward to a few weeks ago, and there was a ring at the door again. "Hello Jarvis," and this time, he didn't move on. Pulp is back, not just on a comeback tour, but with a new album titled "More." Just "More" – simple, yet powerful. Can this be true? And: Can it go well?
Eleven Songs of Introspection and Radiance
Once again, it's a time when the world is fractured, much more fundamentally than in the ‘90s. Music has become little more than white noise in a highly anxious society. In comparison to today's egos (Musk, Söder, West), the Britpop egos seem tame, like mischievous hamsters. The balm for the wounded soul has become a rare commodity. And when the doorbell rings and Jarvis Cocker stands there, with his auburn ponytail and silver-gray beard, we should let him in.
"More" is this balm. Eleven songs that span three to six minutes, a classic format that holds the art form of the album in high regard, with a killer opener ("Spike Island," a song reminiscent of Arcade Fire's greatest hits) and a stardust finale ("Sunset").
Pulp has reached an age where losses are mounting: The band lost their bassist Steve Mackey in 2023, to whom the album is dedicated. Cocker's mother also passed away in 2023, the woman who tried so hard to raise her son Jarvis as a good Catholic that he almost had no choice but to become an atheist – even if he shares the initials with Jesus Christ. Cocker was left, married a new woman, which he sings about in the song "Farmer's Market."
A Second Chance at Life and Love
Cocker has a grown son, Albert, who once stirred unexpected emotions in him when they watched "The Jungle Book" together. Cocker broke down in tears, and his son just shrugged at the time. Late processing: the song "Grown Ups," in which Cocker wonders why Mowgli left the world of animals. Despite all its opulence, strings, jubilance, and quiet reflection, "More" shows that we're witnessing a man who has spent many hours with a therapist. A man trying to make sense of his life. A man who couldn't bring himself to say "love" until now. In "Got To Have Love," it bursts out, "L-O-V-E" is spelled out repeatedly, like a gospel choir. It sounds fantastic, but it might be a bit embarrassing for the kids if the parents sing along loudly in the kitchen.
"More" could also be something Cocker brings to his next therapy session to discuss his progress in self-discovery. It's suitable for those who've never been to therapy too. Even after the fifth or sixth listen, its beauty doesn't fade. All eleven songs are great in different ways; depending on your mood, song four ("Slow Jam") or ten ("The Hymn of the North") might stand out. It's not 1995 anymore – unlike Oasis, who will soon be singing "Wonderwall" in sold-out stadiums again, Pulp's musicians know that. We won't be 20 again. But those who were there back then will appreciate: Everything under the sky has its time, sometimes, as in "More," a second one.
- Jarvis Cocker
- Britpop Revival
Enrichment Insights:
- The return of Pulp with their new album "More" has sparked a renewed interest in Britpop and led to a reevaluation of the genre’s cultural significance and artistic freedom.
- Pulp's new album maintains a level of sophistication by incorporating synths, strings, and the band's distinct sound, setting a new standard for Britpop and moving beyond its original boundaries.
- The resurgence of Britpop led by Pulp has encouraged artistic evolution within the genre, with the band experimenting with new musical forms while staying true to their signature style.
- Jarvis Cocker's complex relationship with Britpop, who criticizes the term but fondly recalls the camaraderie and music of the era, highlights the nuances of revisiting a genre while critiquing its commercialization.
- I'm not going to tell you if "More" is a worthy successor to Pulp's Britpop classics, but it certainly delves deep into the realm of pop-culture, exploring aspects of relationships, lifestyle, and even celebrities through Cocker's introspective lyrics.
- Listening to "More", you'll find that its lush soundscape, blending music, entertainment, and even darker undertones of life and loss, creates a unique sonic tapestry that's truly reminiscent of Jarvis Cocker's influence on pop-culture.
- While the world seems fractured more than ever, with entertainment often becoming white noise, "More" stands as a beacon of introspection and radiance, offering an unparalleled glimpse into Cocker's personal journey and Britpop's enduring impact on modern music.
