Growing up in the 80s there was no mistaking the voice of Kevin Rowland. Dexys, or as they were known back then, Dexys Midnight Runners, started out in the late 1970s but are best known for their string of hits, ‘starting with the international smash hits, ‘Come On Eileen’, ‘Too-Rye-Ay’, and their cover of Van Morrison’s ‘Jackie Wilson Said (I’m In Heaven When You Smile)’. Now Kevin (and his voice) return with Dexys, releasing their first album of original music in 11 years, following on from the acclaimed, ‘One Day I’m Going To Soar’. New album, ‘The Feminine Divine’, is set for release on July 28 through 100% Records, and is preceded today by the release of their glorious first single, ‘I’m Going To Get Free’.
Horn-soaked and with a heavy dance-hall vibe,’I’m Going To Get Free’ focuses on someone who’s trying to make a new start in life and break from their past. Speaking of the track, Kevin Rowland said, “The character is optimistically breaking free from internalised trauma, depression and guilt”.
Produced by Pete Schwier, as well as acclaimed session musician and producer Toby Chapman, ‘The Feminine Divine’ is the fifth album of original material from Dexys. After taking some time out to refocus his energy, Kevin Rowland came back to music with a fresh perspective and new-found positivity. A personal, if not strictly autobiographical, record portraying a man whose views have evolved over time. Not just on women, but the whole concept of masculinity he had been raised with: an education and an un-learning that is traced across the arc of ‘The Feminine Divine’ with dizzying effect.
With two tracks on the album with Goddess in the title, ‘My Goddess Is’ and ‘Goddess Rules’, it’s no surprise Kevin chose to use a painting inspired by Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes, for the artwork.
Dipping into the archives for a song he’d originally written in 1991, the album’s opener, ‘The One That Loves You’, is a tough-guy feint before he lifts the curtain on “what I really feel”, as announced by a classic bit of Kevin spoken word that leads into the second track, ‘It’s Alright Kevin (Manhood 2023)’.
The record’s first half is full of music hall-esque swagger, much of it written with original Dexys’ trombonist Big Jim Paterson. The second side of the record is like nothing Dexys have done before. A saucy, synth-heavy cabaret, written in collaboration with Sean Read and Mike Timothy. It’s steamy, fizzing and sultry, at times doom-laden and heavy and at other times raunchy and funky. Quite a heady mix.
Today the band is more of an “organic” assemblage – Kevin, Jim (a non-touring band member), Sean Read and Mike Timothy.
“It’s always just natural with me,” says Kevin. “The inspiration comes first, I think about what I can do, what songs I’ve got, then approach the band.” He describes their current lineup as “very much the nucleus, these days.”
With over a billion worldwide streams, three top 10 albums in the UK, two number 1 singles, a Brit Award and a multi-platinum selling album with their sophomore release ‘Too-Rye-Ay’ (as Dexys Midnight Runners), Dexys are as vital and exciting today as ever. With live shows set to be announced shortly in support of the record, ‘The Feminine Divine’ marks a new chapter in a book that just keeps getting better and better.
“I’ve been doing this a long time,” says Kevin. “But I feel I’ve got to it now.”
The Feminine Divine Tracklisting:
01. The One That Loves You
02. It’s Alright Kevin (Manhood 2023)
03. I’m Going To Get Free
04. Coming Home
05. The Feminine Divine
06. My Goddess Is
07. Goddess Rules
08. My Submission
09. Dance With Me
Check out Dexys and their music online on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok.
Stream and download ‘I’m Going To Get Free’ here, and watch the video below:
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