New York, NY (Top40 Charts) This Friday sees the release of Drift Code, Rustin Man's first album in 16 years. Ahead of the release, Rustin Man aka Paul Webb shares a third track from the album.
Webb, formerly the bass player in Talk Talk, has released one record under the moniker Rustin Man so far, the superb Out Of Season in 2002 - a collaboration with Beth Gibbons of Portishead. He has been working on the follow-up ever since, recording it in his home, a converted barn, in an Essex field three miles from the nearest village, an extraordinary building as much Old Curiosity Shop as modern living space. Creating that, and raising two daughters with his wife Sam, was happening alongside the making of Drift Code.
This is the first time Paul has written songs specifically for his own voice, and he turns out to be a gifted character actor, adopting various vocal roles across the songs, as heard on 'Judgement Train' and the previously shared 'Vanishing Heart'.
As you might expect from someone of Webb's pedigree, Drift Code is a deep, detailed work. The passage of time, the living space full of art, treasured objects and junk, the years spent listening to film music and '40s standards are all audible. But there's a surprising spontaneity to it too. The album has a warm, wise kind of euphoria to it, coupled with an acute sense of storytelling and surreality.
Listen to Webb break down the making of Drift Code on Jamie Lidell's Hanging Out With Audiophiles podcast.
Drift Code is available to pre-order on Dom Mart-exclusive heavyweight vinyl (w/ signed photo print), Indie-exclusive heavyweight vinyl (w/ photo print), heavyweight vinyl, CD and digitally.
"Webb's voice belongs to a broad tradition of English melancholia - of sepia tones and sweet sadness" Mojo Album of the Month 4*
"Broken and beautiful" NPR Music
"Stately and orchestral recalling late Bowie, Scott Walker, even Robert Wyatt and, of course, Talk Talk" Uncut
"Remarkable" The Guardian
"Appealingly atmospheric...'Blackstar'-era Bowie vibes" Brooklyn Vegan
"Webb proves his ability to build worlds whose orbits brush against the heart whilst always staying at arm's length" WIRE
