Ezra Furman
Perpetual Motion People
BELLA UNION
7/10
Each of Ezra Furman’s solo releases is a ball of condensed energy that explodes several times over before the final song is done. Perpetual Motion People—the Chicago singer-songwriter’s first release for the London label Bella Union—is no exception. Furman’s new LP showcases a wide and somewhat conflicting range of influences, but everything—from piano-led classic rock and blues, to folk and punk-pop—is handled with talent and charm. Although the tempos can be breakneck, Perpetual Motion People’s hangdog lyrics on tracks like “Can I Sleep in Your Brain” and “Haunted Head” reveal Furman’s contemplative side as he wrestles with isolation, destroyed romances, and mental illness. Furman’s best moments come from haphazardly zipping between genres with his capable backing band, The Boyfriends. The album’s hurried pace can be slightly jarring, but the journey is certainly an eventful one, well worth the twists and turns.
