Backinhumanform - Backinhumanform

Backinhumanform is the creative machinations of West Ireland’s Joe Clarke. Based in London, he released his self-titled debut album in late 2019. The album is available on Clarke’s Bandcamp page.

Throughout, Clarke imparts a striking amount of melody and elite level orchestration for a DIY project. ‘Slippin’ Away’ floats along like a lost Beach Boys classic. Meanwhile, ‘On The Road’ is a shoo-in for poignant Peaky Blinders scenes in the next series. Confrontational and built upon 60s pastiche, it builds upon the early work of Brian Jonestown Massacre and the sun-drenched psyche of Cosmic Rough Riders and The Beta Band.

Steve Mason’s influence looms large and often on this record. Vocally and atmospherically, Clarke is able to summon the majesty of the Edinburgh legend.

It is though, on ‘Half Light’ and ‘Ships’ where Clarke threatens to eclipse Mason. The former, with the nuggets of the Cocteau Twins and The Engineers shimmers like a crisp moonlit sky. IT drifts into a state of bliss where images of Robert Plant performing at a pagan festival are easy to conjure.

On ‘Ships’, the trippy bombast of Mason’s Beta Band is called to action. Direct and expansive, it creates a dystopian realm you must enter, no matter the risk.

This is a fine debut, one that deserves to propel Clarke onto bigger stages at Green Man and End of the Road style festivals.

Steve Mason: The Barbican, London

Scotland’s finest singer (FACT) brought an extraordinary show to London’s Barbican Centre. Accompanied by arranger and conductor Joe Duddell, a string and brass section, two drummers, a percussionist and pianists, this was something truly remarkable.

Mason’s ability to blend folk, psyche, electronica in to alternative pop music is feat everyone should see live. However, the first part of the second half saw Mason’s angelic vocals twinned with just the orchestra. This, particularly on ‘Boys Outside’, brought out a purity in the song not heard before which, is remarkable as it details his former demons.

Throughout the set, Mason revisited his Beta Band days and rightly decries “I’m extremely proud of all the work”. There is a strong feeling that Mason is enjoying these postcards from his younger self as much as the audience.

‘Dry The Rain’ brought a respectfully sat crowd to its feet and to the Barbican's aisles in many cases. The orchestra shined brightest on this classic, as the song builds and loops over and over, the true spirit of this song encapsulated the room.

Mason though, is not someone that needs to rely on his early days to lift a crowd. ‘Alive’ and ‘Planet Sizes’ go down as well, if not better than anything from his past. On this kind of form, Mason has to be considered for big festival slots this summer.