Single Review: First solo release from Johnny Marr’s bassist Iwan Gronow
Single Review: First solo release from Johnny Marr’s bassist Iwan Gronow
There’s a very special kind of delight you get from listening to new music that simultaneously sounds like nothing else and yet feels like something you’ve been waiting for.
Mercifully, that doesn’t happen often – otherwise the magic would be as… well it just wouldn’t be quite so magical.
Iwan Gronow has pulled that one off with aplomb, though. Better known as the long-standing bassist in Johnny Marr’s superlative band, Gronow’s first solo release, In the Mire, is a joyous explosion of infectious melodies, pounding rhythms, and rich, deep production.
Gronow moved to Manchester from Cornwall around the turn of the century, with his band Haven, which was managed by the late great Joe Moss. Moss was a close friend and business associate of Marr, who went on to produce Haven’s album Between the Senses, which broke into the UK top 20.
Having just come to the end of a 16 month tour of Marr’s Call the Comet album, you might think Gronow would be ready to put his feet up for a while. You might even be wondering how on earth he found the time, energy and inspiration to write and record In the Mire. But I for one am glad that he did.
It has an urgent, gritty synth-pop sensibility that fleetingly made me think about what an early Gary Numan track might sound like if it was played with a lot more oomph and aggression. But unlike the godfather of electronica, Gronow can sing – he has a great voice, in fact. Sorry Gary, if you’re reading this.
He can also do a bit more than tickle a synth.
It’s an inherently musical piece of work – which might sound like pretentious garbage, but bear with me. From the song’s structure to the little snatches of guitar work sprinkled throughout, it’s clear Gronow has more than just the four bass strings to his bow. He’s a musician with a musician’s feel for the music and the talent to make it come to fruition.
In the Mire was released on Friday 13th September. You can find it here.
It was mixed and produced by Thomas Twemlow (Twem), who also played drums on the track. The single is accompanied by a video directed, shot and produced by Emily-Jade Hagan (currently working on Tin Star).
Stream it, or even better buy it. Your ears will thank you.
You can find Iwan Gronow on all the usual social media channels:
