I’ve been a massive fan of Interpol since their debut album Turn On The Bright Lights (2001). Songs such as PDA, Roland, or Not Even Jail (this one being on follow-up Antics) never fail to move me. I think it’s partly due to guitarist Daniel Kessler’s talent for composition as well as Paul Bank’s tantalizing voice and head-scratching lyrics.

So when, a few months back, I heard the latter was to release a solo album, I nearly pulled a Fergie! Paul Banks just revealed his debut under the moniker of Julian Plenti, and I’ve been chain-listening to it for the past two weeks. His musical Jekyll-and-Hydeness is intriguing but brilliant to say the least.

Of course, his voice is no different from his work with Interpol, and you can definitely hear in this solo effort how he influences his band. But he also explores a whole new personal and subtle dimension, often flirting with experimentalism and DIY. Julian Plenti is…Skyscraper is a beautiful album that makes perfect sense and which lets me think that Banks has a lot to offer on his own and for a forthcoming Interpol release.

Julian Plenti – Unwind

Guest written by Christian P.

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