For Everything There's a Season: Pulp's Return with New Album "More"
- by Oliver Creutz
- ⏰ - 4 min
Revival of Britpop Essence in Modern Music Scene - Pulp's Influence Resurgent - Revival of Britpop's Flair: Pulp takes Center Stage once more
"To everything, there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven," a verse from the Book of Ecclesiastes, a book in the Bible, echoes the sentiment of the 90's when the music world was dominated by two rival bands - Blur and Oasis. During this era, British pop music regained its radiant glory reminiscent of the 60's Beatles. Any song that soared to the top of the charts would swell the overconfident egos of the star-singing superstars.
Amidst this battle of the bands, one figure emerged - an oily, disheveled man with a ponytail, often sporting glasses as large as a brick on his nose. Jarvis Cocker, the eccentric outsider god of pop, a man as effeminate as a marionette. In the autumn of 1995, everyone who wasn't swayed by the Gallagher brothers' squabbles leaned in to hear Cocker speak. His songs were love letters of caution: consider "Disco 2000," in which he professed his affection for a Deborah, a childhood sweetheart he imagined they would reunite years later. These lyrics spoke to the heart's yearning of the forgotten. Cocker sang for them.
Waves Crashing Again: Pulp's Resurgence
In September 1995, Pulp's time had come, and it was glorious. The album "A Different Class" was the anthem for all who felt left behind by the mainstream. Pandora acclaimed it as the top Britpop album of all time, and deservingly so. Pulp reemerged in 1998 with the silky smoother album "This is Hardcore," an elegiac ode to decay, an album as glamorous as a terminal illness. "We Love Life" from 2002 barely graced the charts for more than a fortnight, and after that, Pulp faded away - a fading memory imprinted on the hearts of those who were there. Pulp had had their moment and their hour. The true greatness of an artist lies in not imposing themselves on the world. The master of this is Jarvis Cocker.
A friend once shared a tale that happened a few years back in London. Ringing came one evening, and when she opened the door, there stood Jarvis Cocker in a type of bathrobe. "Oh sorry, wrong door," he mumbled, and moved on.
And so, a few weeks ago, people started talking when a new Pulp song suddenly appeared on streaming services. The doorbell rang again, and this time, it wasn't a mistake. Pulp is back, not just for a reunion tour but with a new album that bears the unassuming title, "More." Is this true? Can this go well?
Eleven Songs Ranging from Three to Six Minutes
It's a time when the world is not just divided by mainstream and underground, but on a much more fundamental level. Pop music has become little more than the background noise of an anxious society. In comparison, the egos of the Britpop era seem like mere guinea pigs. A balm for the weary soul has become a rare treasure. And when the doorbell rings, and Jarvis Cocker stands there, his ponytail now a fiery red, the beard white as silver, it's more important than ever to let him in.
"More" is this balm. Eleven songs that range from three to six minutes, a classic format that holds the art of the album in high esteem, featuring a powerful opening ("Spike Island," a song that Arcade Fire will never match again) and a celestial closing ("Sunset").
Pulp returned to a world that was not the same as before - Steve Mackey, the band's bassist, passed away in 2023. The album is dedicated to him. Cocker's mother also died in 2023, the woman who had tried so hard to raise her son Jarvis as a good Catholic, but he turned out to be an atheist - even if he shares the initials with Jesus Christ. Cocker is now married to a new woman, a relationship that he sings about in the song "Farmer's Market".
Not 1995 Anymore
At age 61, Cocker has a grown son, Albert, whose presence once surprised him: while watching "The Jungle Book" together, he broke down in tears. His son shrugged it off at the time. Emotions caught up later: "Grown Ups," where Cocker ponders why Mowgli left the animal world. Despite the opulence, strings, lightheartedness, and quiet reflection, "More" showcases a man seeking to understand his life. A man who could never bring himself to say "love" - until now, with tracks like "Got To Have Love." Despite its unfettered joy, it might be a bit embarrassing if the grown children sing along excessively when this song plays in the kitchen.
"More" could be something Cocker brings to his next therapy session to discuss his progress in self-discovery.
"More" doesn't become tedious even after the fifth or sixth listen. Every song is fantastic in its own way; it depends on one's mood which one resonates the most at different moments - sometimes song four, "Slow Jam," sometimes song ten, "The Hymn of the North." It's not 1995 anymore - unlike Oasis, who will soon be belting out "Wonderwall" in sold-out stadiums, Pulp's musicians are aware that we can't go back to 20. But those who were there back then should remember: Everything under heaven has its season, sometimes, as seen with "More," a second one.
- Jarvis Cocker
- Britpop
Enrichment Data:
The new Pulp album, titled "More," was released on June 6, 2025. This marks the band's first studio album in almost 24 years, following a long hiatus. The album features 11 tracks, including the song "Spike Island," which pays homage to the legendary 1990 Stone Roses concert that was a pivotal moment for Britpop.
"More" is characterized by Pulp's signature blend of wit and introspection, with themes of love, aging, and reflection. Jarvis Cocker's lyrics often explore the complexities of middle age, appreciating what one has rather than dwelling on missed opportunities. The album includes tracks like "Got To Have Love," a disco-flavored single emphasizing the importance of love, and "Background Noise," which warns of how quickly love can become overlooked.
The album title "More" is seen as deliberately understated, setting expectations for the return after such a long absence. Despite this, the band maintains their sophisticated and cinematic sound, which has been a hallmark of their style since the 1990s.
I'm not going to tell you the story behind the new Pulp album "More," but it's worth mentioning that the album delves into themes of love, aging, and reflection in a way that only Pulp can. The album title "More" is a subtle nod to their return after a long hiatus. Despite the entrance of new elements into pop-culture and entertainment, Pulp's music continues to hold a unique place in the hearts of many, proving that they are not just entertainment, but a significant part of pop-culture and the soundtrack to a generation's life.
