TJ Cowgill has made no secret of the fact that King Dude would eventually come to an end. With a career spanning more than a decade, and a discography that boasts two releases for every year of that, he has certainly earned a rest. With the end in mind, ‘Death’ is a fitting title for the Dude’s swansong album.
With song titles such as ‘Everybody Goes to Heaven’, ‘Sweet Death’ and ‘Lay Waste to the Human Race’, the sense of finality extends much further than just King Dude as a musical project. TJ is a human being who seems finished with the world as a whole, and with the current political and environmental situations unravelling the world over, who can blame him?
There are no real surprises on ‘Death’. The clear influence of the likes of Current 93 and Death in June still ring clearly, tinged with 1950s rockabilly-Americana, a distinctive splash of post punk and wrapped up in Satanic themes and imagery. There are small nods to each of the Dude’s musical eras; from the sing-song catchiness of 2011’s ‘Love’, to the bawdiness of 2014’s ‘Fear’ and somberness of 2020’s ‘Full Virgo Moon’. ‘Death’ is an amalgamation of everything that has made TJ Cowgill so captivating as a musician.
This record is bittersweet. It’s a great listen, well written, straddling the line between perfectly polished and DIY grittiness just enough to keep it genuinely interesting. However, the overarching theme of finality is omnipresent, the songs feel more subdued as a result. Whether it be tiredness or genuine sadness, TJ’s voice conveys a feeling that he’s as morose about letting go of King Dude as his fans will be to lose him. While this may be the last record from King Dude, his impact will be everlasting. Forever Lucifer will be the light of the world. Thank you for everything, TJ.
(8/10 Angela Brown)
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