BELLA1220V
Release date: June 25, 2021
“Boy From Michigan affirms John Grant as one of the great singer-songwriters of our time. If there’s a centre ground between the songcraft of Elton John and the sonic experimentalism of Kraftwerk then Grant claims for his own. His fifth solo album is a work of great power and beauty.” The Daily Telegraph – 4 stars **** (Album Of The Week)
“Boy From Michigan is Grant’s futuristic vision of his past, filtered through his bleak, witty, lacerating worldview. And it is a delight.” The Times – 4 stars **** (Album Of The Week)
“He takes the idea of pop-as-autobiography to new heights on his remarkable new record” The i News – 4 stars ****
“Wildly ambitious and emphatically realised, the new songs represent an ideal marriage of Grant’s strengths – soaring piano-led balladry and angular, rhythmic synth workouts.” The Sun – 4 stars ****
“Boy From Michigan has the American fusing the piano-led chamber pop of his early releases with the jagged electronica of his more recent work. Produced by Cate Le Bon, it is dependably doleful and caustic as the singer shines unforgiving light on his troubled upbringing and the cruel joke that is the American dream. On ‘Mike and Julie’, clarinet and synth decorate a lyric about Grant’s first lover, with tenderness and regret coming together in one of his most beautiful melodies.” Sunday Times – Album Of The Week
“Boy From Michigan is Grant in panoramic mode, looking back and looking forward to create his biggest picture yet.” MOJO – 4 stars ****
“An expansive and frequently exquisite summation of Grant’s storytelling powers... Boy From Michigan develops as a multi-layered and resonant coming-of-age story-in-songs... These songs cut to the quick with character and feeling, wit and precision.” Record Collector – 4 stars ****
“Vangelis meets Harry Nilsson” Uncut – 8/10
“a gorgeously observed working through of personal and national demons.” Loud & Quiet
“Boy From Michigan is an unhurried, loping listen, sprawling over 75 minutes with sumptuous synths and a ten-minute tirade on Trump’s America (The Only Baby) ... There are plenty of perfectly formed moments.” The Skinny – 4 stars ****
“A record filled with retro synths and Grant’s lush vocals.” Classic Pop