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ADRIAN THRILLS reviews Pulp: More (Rough Trade): Britpop for grown-ups…it’s a perfect Pulp album for 2025

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Amidst a gloomy American grunge-dominated music world, Pulp emerged as underdogs from Britain, eventually gaining immense popularity in the Britpop movement.

Led by the British humorist Jarvis Cocker, the Sheffield band found their way into the Top Ten album charts with 1994’s His ‘n’ Hers, and made headlines two years afterwards when Cocker playfully jiggled his backside during a Michael Jackson performance at the BRIT Awards.

Similar to how Oasis and Blur found success in the ’90s during the Cool Britannia era, they are coming back to regain the same level of popularity they had then.

In 2023, they embarked on a tour titled “This Is What We Do For An Encore,” which featured main performances at Finsbury Park and Latitude. Now, they have announced their first new album in 24 years.

In 2025, the release of “More” by Pulp, featuring Jarvis at the helm alongside keyboardist Candida Doyle, guitarist Mark Webber, and drummer Nick Banks, would undoubtedly be an exceptional Pulp album, showcasing their exceptional skills.

A week from now, we return with a blend of disco rhythms and keyboard melodies reminiscent of past pop hits, but with a maturity in both musical skills and lyrical content – adult-oriented Britpop.

This album is packed with its most popular hits right from the start. It starts off with “Spike Island,” a tune that was influenced by a Stone Roses concert on the Mersey estuary in 1990, but in essence, it reflects why Jarvis Cocker paused Pulp in 2001 and then reactivated them again in 2011 and 2023.

‘I was born to perform, it’s a calling,’ he sings. 

‘I exist to do this: shouting and pointing.’

He delivers lyrical zingers as the LP progresses. 

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’d like to share my perspective on two intriguing songs: “Orchestral Tina” and “Farmers Market.” “Orchestral Tina,” in my view, is an evocative narrative about a longing, perhaps even borderline-obsessive admiration, for a woman who crosses paths with the singer during his daily commute. On the other hand, “Farmers Market” paints a vivid picture of mature love, capturing the essence of middle-aged romance in a concise yet powerful manner.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but resonate with his lyrics yet again in the energetic, Madness-evoking tune titled “Grown Ups”. The way he puts it, ‘You trade Camden for Hackney, and instead of fretting over acne, you now worry about wrinkles.’

The quality dips on ballads Slow Jam and Partial Eclipse, but More otherwise finishes strongly. 

Next month’s UK arena shows are going to be absolutely electrifying for me, and I can’t wait to lose myself in the pulsating disco-beats of “Got To Have Love”! It’s going to be an unforgettable experience, mark my words!

Additionally, The Hymn of the North showcases Sheffield’s tenacity, as it honors the city’s ability to persevere even amidst the downturn of its industrial sectors.

As I journey back, the enchanting glow of the Northern Lights serves as my personal beacon, echoing the heartwarming and triumphant return I’ve made, concluding with a heartfelt tribute to my humble beginnings. (Sung by Jarvis)

He insists that ‘no AI’ was involved in making the album, and that feels right. 

Artificial intelligence would struggle to replicate the quirky genius of Pulp.

More is out on June 6. Pulp start a UK tour on June 7 at OVO Hydro, Glasgow (ticketmaster.co.uk).

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2025-05-30 02:03

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