THE FUTURE BITES explores ways that the human brain has evolved in the internet era. Where 2017’s Top 3 album TO THE BONE confronted the (then) emerging global issues of post truth and fake news, THE FUTURE BITES places the listener in a world of 21st century addictions. It’s a place where on-going, very public experiments with nascent technology on our lives take place constantly; where clicks and Tiks have become more important that human interaction. THE FUTURE BITES is less a bleak vision of an approaching dystopia and more a curious and playful reading of a world made all the more strange and separated by the events of 2020.
Unself is a short and very spooky piano minded track, with scary vocals. Self has some computer minded vocal passages and a disco feel. The lyrics are pretty hard and pose a mirror to a lot of people. The tempo is cool, just as the sound and the backings. I think this one can become a hit. King Ghost has a dream pop feel, with vocals that can go very high. I love the sweet touch in the music, however the lyrics are pretty tough towards what I call screenagers. There is more to life then a screen! But alas: there is COVID-19 and it’s hard to go somewhere and move freely. I feel somehow that the message would have passed better in pre covid-19 times. The first real guitars come up with the melancholic song called Things I forgot. It’s also a bit of a mellow song, with sweet backings and a poppy retro feel. I like this song! More funky fun comes with Eminent Sleaze.Man Of The People has a more dreamy feel, with a low tempo. The sound reminds me of bands from the 60’s and seventies. The longest track on the album takes out 9 minutes and is called Personal Shopper. The song starts with an electro (almost EBM) feel and vocals that reach really high. The backings renders a funky disco feel. Some computer minded touches on the vocals places the song into the story of this album. The spoken word part reminds me of a similar song (with only the spoken word as vocals, but I forgot the title and artist’s name). Follower rocks a bit more and has a very psychedelic touch. Halfway the track it becomes a more classic minded Steven Wilson track. Last song is called Count Of Unease: a dreampop track with fragile vocals and a psychedelic feel.
Funny thing is thatthe first concert my wife took me too is a Steven Wilson concert (and I loved it). By now we have a 6 year ol daughter. I was listening together with her to the new album and told her the story. My daughter told me she wants to go to a Steve Wilson concert too as she really loves this album too and take her 6 year old boyfriend with her. That touches me and says a lot about how magical and touching this album is (and yes, my daughter speaks and understands English)!
Well over to my final conclusion: it’s once again a very special album, with some newer sounds. It's a slow grower, but I like it! I’m just not sure if all fans will applaud it! But hence: David Bowie never wrote an album for his fans, he just went on and experimented on every album and so is Steven Wilson and so I clap with my hands for him! It's a great album!
