Pop Levi 'Never Never Love' album

Welcome back. You’ve been out in the wilderness – wandering, lost, confused. Now it’s time to come home. Pop Levi – genuine maverick – has returned with a new album, the avant-pop masterpiece “Never Never Love”. “A true cult hero” (NME), probably the only contemporary musician in the world beloved of both Jarvis Cocker and Noel Gallagher, ex-Ladytron bassist Pop was never likely to come back with the same record all over again and “Never Never Love” doesn’t disappoint.

Recorded entirely in Hollywood at Quincy Jones’ old studio, Westlake, where both Thriller & Off The Wall were laid down, Mr Levi has returned with an album about the madness of love - 100% autobiographical, 100% clever, 100% dumb, 100% unique. And that’s giving 400% already.

From transitional rockers like “Wannamama” and “Oh God,” Pop spreads his wings, relying on a production flare, which makes the record feel fresh and slick as well as charmingly hi-lo-fi. “Never Never Love” shows that while he hasn’t abandoned the dynamics of the rock group he has also been steeping himself in contemporary r&b. Central track “Dita Dimone” re-tells of his break-up with the song’s eponymous heroine with all the low-slung swing sass of a future-classic. From hereon in the album takes off in all kinds of weird and wonderful directions – from the crazed danger pop of “Mai’s Space” to the heartfelt longing of “Semi-Babe”, the wonky dub of “Call The Operator” to the final comedown of “Fountain of Lies”.

Flamboyant, utterly self-confident, completely his own man and so uninterested in the back and forth of fashion that everything he makes is an instant classic, Pop Levi is in the building. Bow down and give thanks...

The 2008 Pop Levi Live Show
Stand still if you will, Pop's on the rise with a new surprise, and he's got tricks up his sleeves.

Last time round Pop was rocking the standard 4 piece band. With this album he's bringing the pain and agony to the stage with his self varnished guitar and scars from a relationship only voodoo can explain. Beaches long time associate, on synth bass and drum machine making the performance intense, intimate and unique. Keen on the dreams of palm trees he's bringing his new show cross sea's to you, like never before.

Truly innovative, with a progressive sound that feels like As Pop himself memorably puts it, “it's like if Dylan went electronic” this is just the latest evolution in Pop’s career.

Intense, intimate and unique, prepare for a very special night out...

biography
Pop Levi was conceived in a London hospital by a Gentile nurse and a Jewish doctor. His childhood was, though, steeped in music rather than medicine. He studied piano at three, joined a gospel choir at seven, started collecting records at nine and wrote his first song that same year: a 12 bar creation, 'Through The Window Of My Life,' that came right out of the ether.

In the 90s, he moved to Liverpool, lived on the breadline and took his chances. After forming a commune with new pals Snap Ant and Karl Webb, the trio conceived Super Numeri, whose two albums for Ninja Tune, 'Great Aviaries' (2003) and 'The Welcome Table' (2005), showcased a contemporary take on the cyclical-groove mechanics of Can and the amorphous fluidity of jazz.

In between Super Numeri opuses, Pop's solo quest began with two 7" singles, 'Rude Kinda Love' and the Christmas single 'Reindeer In My Heart', both for Danny Hunt's Invicta Hi-Fi label. Hunt, a good friend of Pop's and one of the male members of the electro-pop-orientated Ladytron, had invited him to join the band on bass guitar, so during 2003 and 2004, Pop found himself on Ladytron's world tour and contributing to their third album 'Witching Hour'.

But having served an apprenticeship - including performing in a Nazi fallout bunker and been rendered penniless, topless and lost in Bulgaria - Pop knew he needed focus on himself. He'd tried to release an album (with the working title 'Foxwatch') in 2004, but no matter; it wasn't the right time - nor the right place. He was to find that shortly after.

"I went to Los Angeles with Ladytron, and within a minute of waking up there, I wanted to live there. It had blue skies, palm trees, and they've made some serious records here. LA truly is the land of make-believe. And it was a challenge."

Pop returned to Liverpool, rounded up his current four piece band and then shipped them out to LA, too. The band, plus a few guests, helped record Pop's first EP, 'Blue Honey', released by Counter Records in September 2006 and also 'The Return To Form Black Magick Party', though Pop laid down great chunks of it single-handedly.

The album was released in February 2007 to considerable critical acclaim and Pop found himself picking up celebrity supporters as diverse as Jarvis Cocker, Lauren Laverne, Noel Gallagher and Kasabian, who he was asked to support at Somerset House in London. In July 2008 the avant-pop masterpiece "Never Never Love" album will be released which was recorded in Quincy Jones' (Michael Jackson's "Thriller") studio. Pop Levi, a true cult hero.

Do you also would like to share your opinion? If so, please register or login here.

Details

Popular Songs

New Songs

Pop Levi - Never Never Love