Antony And The Johnsons “The Crying Light”

4/5

Antony And The Johnsons’ third studio album is indicative of where they stand on the music forefront at present- in a state of absolute progression. Not only does Antony Hegarty express a powerful voice that compliments lyrics of raw emotion; but the juxtaposition of majestic composition of music from the likes of cello, violin, horns, percussion and bass are just as equally awe-inspiring.

From picking flowers with his mother in the opening track Her Eyes Are Underneath The Ground to feeling his experiences of abandonment in Epilepsy Is Dancing, words saying “Cut me into quadrants, Leave me in the corner…” or sharing the song Aeon for his father, the album administers with the audience the underpinning essence of sentiment instilled throughout. The listening experience enables the audience to feel intimate with the soft mummers of his delicate voice.

Being a reflection of himself in the world around him, the natural imagery puts the listener right in the ’secret garden’; a feeling he has intentionally created and undoubtedly effectively communicated. Although written with orchestral inspiration, Antony says this is not at all suggestive of where he will go next, saying “[He] is just as likely to make a dance record…”

- Emmy Hobbs