Nadia Khomami 

Gerard Way: Hesitant Alien review – My Chemical Romance goes Britpop

The debut solo album from the former frontman of My Chemical Romance is jam-packed with sounds from the 90s, writes Nadia Khomani
  
  

Gerard Way performs on stage at Leeds Festival at Bramham Park on August 23, 2014
My Chemical Romance former frontman Gerard Way channels 90s Britpop. Photograph: Andrew Benge/Redferns/Getty Images Photograph: Andrew Benge/Redferns/Getty Images

“The whole thing largely feels like a British album,” Gerard Way said recently of this debut solo venture. “I was able to bring out my Britpop influences tremendously.” The former My Chemical Romance frontman has stuck true to his word on a record packed with 90s sounds. The heavy guitar riffs and distorted vocals on opening track Bureau are a nod to Supergrass, the fuzz pedal on single No Shows is Lush-era shoegaze. Lyrics on Drugstore Perfume wouldn’t be out of place on a Suede album. Yes, it’s a big step away from MCR’s post-hardcore rock anthems, with Way’s Bowie-like charisma and undeterred passion a familiar call to arms.

 

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