Metamatic Forums News and Announcements John Foxx news Interplay

The track-listing to the forthcoming John Foxx and The Maths album Interplay is as follows...

01. Shatterproof
02. Catwalk
03. Evergreen
04. Watching A Building On Fire
05. Interplay
06. Summerland
07. The Running Man
08. A Falling Star
09. Destination
10. The Good Shadow

Track 04, Watching A Building On Fire, features Mira Aroyo from Ladytron.

The album will be released by Metamatic Records on Monday the 21st of March, 2011.

Rob

Great stuff Rob. I can't wait!!

Excellent news!
Been looking forward to this one for a long time!

Excellent news indeed.

21st March is quite a busy day, with The Human League releasing Credo as well.

great news looking forward to this

So many great titles for songs on the album, I'm really looking forward to hearing this work after its period of being finalised.

I'm one of the few people to say here that I was a bit unmoved by some of the tracks played live at the Roundhouse, I'm hoping that come the release of Interplay that I will be hanging my head with shame at my previous stance

... except The Good Shadow. Not sure why, but as a John Foxx song title it just doesn't work for me :rolleyes:

I think its a bit 'In Mysterious Ways' as a title, and I actually thought that it was supposed to be called Good Shadow, as if from an old saying or proverb perhaps: "remember to take your good shadow with you".
I was really dismayed to see the inclusion of 'The' before it, which changes the emphasis of its potential meaning!

I agree. New material is often hard to take in at a gig and this section, while interesting, felt slightly underwhelming apart from Destination which sounded awesome to me that night, and awesome for the first time.

By the way, are all of the Maths songs played at the Roundhouse included in this tracklisting?

Yay ,great to see a date finally


01. Shatterproof
03. Evergreen
05. Interplay
08. A Falling Star

Were not played at the Roundhouse

Dismayed? That's a bit dramatic!! :p

But then again, it does now have the feel of a comic book superhero feel about it, which is very fitting. Foxxy saves the world!

And, below is the front cover artwork for the John Foxx and The Maths album Interplay...



Rob

Oh my God, if I'm allowed to say it, that cover for Interplay is f**king gorgeous.



Okay, maybe dismayed was a tad 'everythings gone green in a nuclear way', I'm downgrading it now to 'slightly perturbed' but can you imagine 'the drama' amongst the hardcore electro-foxx fans on here when the album is released in March, (there were over 60 visitors at one point to the forum earlier this evening, the technomob is becoming active) best avoid the high streets, there will most likely be a riot.

I like your suggestion that The Good Shadow has the feel of the name of a classic comic-book hero - yet more retro-futurism rears its head!

Looks good,very different from a Foxx cover.

Did I read a Barnbrook tweet saying he was doing the cover?

Does remind of part of an upside down ATV TV ident a little bit though:-

http://625.uk.com/tv_logos/flash/atv_in_colour_1.asp

It is by jonathan barnbrook, yes.

Absolutely stunning in its simple complexity.
And colour.

And brilliant use of typography as you'd expect.

I agree F**king gorgeous just about covers it

Oh that's cute! Like Brian says - very ATV

Hope it's on a t-shirt by April (hint hint)

Oh No! Don't like that at all. Yeuch.

--{where's the grey suit?}
I'm sure it'll be splendid, Catwalk and Destination on it

Is it a Venn diagram using swollen heart shapes? I think some type was left off — what is it supposed to be diagramming? Maybe if I knew what the components and overlaps represent, I might dislike it less. I am looking forward to the music but I have to say I don't care for the cover art one bit. It looks like the result of an hour spent on a create-your-own-instant-logo website or something — in fact, it reminds me of a company ID that you would see on boxed reams of paper or in the corner of an energy corporation's magazine ad. As far as selling music or piquing my curiosity, it would not call out enticingly to me from a sales rack if I didn't know anything about it beforehand.

Still, I am sure that if all the tunes on it are spanking good I will get past the cheap-looking cover art.

It's not to my taste at all, although I do like the idea of something colourful and simplistic; it makes a change.

Maybe it's that heart shape that puts me off - once you see it, it's all you see.

However it certainly is very different to any other Foxx album or what I was expecting – and I maybe the way it is printed/finished will play a big part in its overall impact. Unless it's just printed in CMYK on bog standard paper, which would be so incredibly drab for such a colourful piece.

I suppose the blending 'interplay' of the colours are representative of many a Foxx lyric. I can imagine it looking quite iconic and standing out on the shelves... if there are any music shops left by the time it comes out!

At least it feels fresh and new... and retro at the same time.

Its interesting the effect that its having Lele.

Whereas it might look like an easily arrived at image produced by a cheap software program, purporting to represent something - and I can see that - I think that very quality about it is a typical and acceptable design hook.

It's reminiscent of a 50's or 60's animated public information or scientific promotional film, thus tying in with Barnbrooks established use of retro media imagery. There is an air of mystery about it in a playful way, its not deep of course, but its certainly enough to draw me in

I'm enjoying the fact that we've moved away a notch from the mostly monochrome look that's become something of an identity for John's covers. Of course Interplays 'colour divided shell company style logo' is still on a black background, but never mind, maybe Interplay 2 will end up with a garish neon colour, just like those tacky 'sale' price cut-outs with the pointy edges that used to block out supermarket windows once upon a time

Maybe Johnathan can tell us a bit about the brief for this project - I'd be curious to hear that

That'll make a great T-shirt..

Usually, I get the pre-order message from Townsend BEFORE the blog posting..
Come on guys - get yer finger out!

For me, it really does say 'interplay' and connectivity.

This kind of 'diagrammatic' visual represents a lot of aspects of John's career in the way I see it.
Albums, projects and ideas all linking together, overlapping and standing alone, creating interesting and innovative 'colours' where they overlap and merge with one another.

On a wider context too, you could put John Foxx in the yellow central space, and surround him with different musical genres and influences.

It's a very analogue idea too (like Brian's ATV logo analogy), which fits nicely with the whole concept of The 'Maths'. Mathematics into art

Look at the graphic device/logo for this website... METAMATIC.

I think the cover artwork is very cool indeed and well thought out.

Hmm. New Order. Power Corruption and Lies.. (inner sleeve)
or Blue Monday 12" (original release)
Peter Saville

Totally agree with Martin on this one.It's just 4 ellipses overlaid in colours.Venn diagrams were part of my old school Maths lessons.
Colours Interplay.

Does exactly what it says on the tin.

It's brilliant simplicity.

God help the colour blind though...

Brian

You can find those kind of artwork on some covers of other CD's too. I guess it's modern.
But it's not my taste.

I'm sure the music on Interplay is great. This is much more important for me.

The cover fits in with the article in Sunday Times Style mag this week, which references Barnbrook and John - have started a thread in John Foxx section for more info (Martin - this will interest you I know!)
Cheers

Originally posted by Brian
That would be me then. I was thinking there was a nice variety of shades of grey

I have put the Style Section in my recycling bin in my shed since I've not had chance to read it,will fish it out and investigate.

Brian

I love the Artwork. OK it does remind me of the old ATV logo though.

Also the logo reminds me of some socks that I own, those who've met me can testify.

I'm looking forward to owning/hearing a totally new album from John and the Maths and the tracks I've already heard are anything to go by, then I'm not going to be dissapointed.

Peter

For some reason, the artwork reminds me of an old bit on Sesame Street on geometry--with music by Philip Glass. Maybe it's all the colors and interlocking shapes...

LOL! Peter, I'm guessing John Foxx must have seen your socks at a gig and taken inspiration for the sleeve idea from them!!

I really like the cover design, very fresh and colourful, just whats needed after all the monochrome and the left over from The seventies and /or Metamatic artwork.
...plus someone won't be able to make the quip that "all his covers are the same.."

Well, it's not a John Foxx solo album. It's a collaboration. A band. A new direction. Sort of.

Like the image but not keen on typeface, and changing colours on the type. Dare I say that grey would have been a better colour?
Cheers

I thought it was grey :p

I really like the changing colours on the type, but then we have already established a few years back that our artistic tastes are slightly different (I'm talking Buffalo here )

The sleeve also reminds me of Pet Shop Boys "Yes" and Depeche Mode "Sounds of the Universe" (the limited editions in each case). It is a beautiful simple design and as others have said, nice to have something a little different although as soon as I say that though I want a Foxx image instead!

The forthcoming John Foxx and The Maths album Interplay is now available to pre-order via Townsend Records . There's also a special 'multi-buy' where you can buy the Album & T-Shirt together.

Please note that if you order the Interplay album through Townsend Records you'll also receive an edited version of the track Evergreen.

Rob

Rob, any images of the T-Shirt available at all, how is the Interplay graphic positioned on the item, what size, etc?

I take it the Evergreen edit is a digital download, and in what way does it differ to the album version?

I've just ordered and downloaded.The download is shorter than the album version according to John's twitter:-

http://twitter.com/foxxmetamedia

Brian

Think I'll be waiting until the album is released.

'Pre-ordering' isn't for me, unless I can persuade them to leave the money in the bank until the album is actually available...

Not sure what the real point of pre-ordering is... it's not like they're going to run out of copies on the first day!

I'll probably order it closer to the time.

I hope it will be available via other online retailers as well as, maybe the sole existing music shop...

I love EVERGREEN!!!

Evergreen preview on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNQdEW-18QQ

It would be helpful to see an image of the t-shirt. Is the "Maths keyboard motif" different to the colourful hearty thing on thealbum cover?

I believe that this...



... is the T-Shirt being referred to.

It can be found here on the Townsend Records site.

Rob

Thanks Rob!

Liking what I hear. Is this the follow up album to Metamatic? (i.e, in the way I feel that 'The Garden' is the follow up to 'Systems of Romance')

Bring it on, and may I be blessed with ability to be in UK in April!!!

thanks for posting MemberD.

I totally love Evergreen.

Its gonna be in my head all day now.

The rhythm and the singing are gloriously in the style of Annexe and This Jungle

Cheers John for taking us into that leafy sunlit lane once again.

Roll on the springtime

I've always viewed The Pleasures of Electricity and the closest follow-up to Metamatic (not that it warrants one!).

I'd say Interplay isn't the follow-up to anything but a stand alone album in it's own right at the start of a new direction and collaboration, maybe.

Spot on!!

The Bassline on Evergreen is very like Underpass so that did kind of occur to me as well.

Roll on Feb & April

Pre-ordered the album and got my hands on Evergreen as well.
Really like it a lot too!
The only real downside for me is the end of the song, the sudden end doesnt do it for me really.
Nevertheless another fine addition to the already heard tracks of Interplay

Ok. Spritual successor?

I think there are style links connecting certain threads of JF's style - I find them very interesting, and very compelling!

I'm still enjoying the preview.

Stick a lovely echoey guitar or two on Evergreen and it could easily have been a single released post-Metamatic and pre-The Garden era in the same way the Miles Away single was.

Having said that though, I don't think there's anything remotely 'retro' about Evergreen and it's more forward-looking rather than a nod back to any previous work.
A confident slice of 'pop' synth with no froth to it at all.

Its melodic pulse should make me think that it owes something to the beatlesque or kraftwerkian influence that Johns previously looked to in his work, but to his credit its not coming through. Its altogether a different flow to the Foxx/Louis electro, and although its not overly-textured it has a fuller sound to some of the more basic layout or harsh synth of earlier Foxx and Gordon works (although the remastered albums of that era eventually gave a richer impression).

I like this shift that's taken place, its not too subtle and its not too obvious either.

Having heard some of the Interplay tracks at the Roundhouse gig, one impression that I was left with back then was that the album was not going to feel consistent, the tracks seemed quite varied in style. I'm wondering now if they will have been tweaked slightly to travel a little more in the same direction, and if the 'key' that Evergreen resides in is a good indicator of what we might expect of the final sound in the forthcoming album.

That's a cool enough t-shirt, but I would really like one with the Interplay design on.

Please? Pretty please?

Is that the best image there is???

I'd like to see the artwork/image 'in big' (as my kids would say).

Mx

Pre ordered my copy, love everygreen, great stuff

I've pre-ordered my copy too. I have to say that Evergreen sounds fantastic. One of the best things John has done for years in my opinion. I'm really excited by this release. All bodes well.

Evergreen is a nice track.
Pre - ordered Interplay too.

"Evergreen" sounds awesome, this album could turn out to be one of John's finest yet.

Fingers crossed all.

There's a real sense of excitement coming through the posts

Pre-ordered and...well...Blimey Guv...

I've not seen this amount of speculation/love/hype/andgeneralwell-being about a new release since...hmmmm...dunno...Protection?...Blue Lines?...insert name of an extraordinary album here.

That's not to be cynical - I'm just talking about the weight of expectation on this album.

Mind you, that's not our fault per se.

Those of us who went to the Roundhouse last year, and then watched and re-watched Brian's wonderful Youtube clips of various tracks coupled with stuff like September Town* and Everegreen...well...it's practically the Third Summer of Metamatic Love...innit?

I feel kinda distant to the whole project - maybe because the gestation has been so long. But I also feel so close to it too; because I heard, up close and personal, versions of Watching A Building On Fire and The Good Shadow - weird situation.

Interplay promises so much adventure; because it's the promise of Foxx's 1980, re-programmed by someone almost half his age for 2011.

And that has got to be a good thing.

Oh Yes.

I'd of ordered the t-shirt version but they ran out of M

Postscript -

There are some people out there who are fed up of collaborators.

Well - I'd like to present a well reasoned argument...but I can't so I'll just give them a good old fashioned V-Sign and say "B0ll0cks to the lot of 'em!"...

...and on the basis of Evergreen and Proustian rememberences of things past like me being very p!$$ed whilst hearing Watching A Building On Fire and The Good Shadow live at The Roundhouse...I'd like to say...

"Surrender! Surrender infadels to the collaborators!"

After all...what's the worst that can happen?**

* * * * * * * * *

*I genuinely can't remember the A-Side...

**"A-ha Mr Foxx you have invaded my secret underground lair! A Swiss plastic surgeon worked on me for six months and now - no-one will know the switch that has taken place - and I VILL ROOOL ZE VURLD HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"So how come you look like the pr!c& out of Slik?"

"HA! Foxx! You are trying to rile me, but my laser beam will rid you of such thoughts! Odd Job! The Laser! Now! So Mr Foxx - do you expect me to talk???"

"No Mr Ure I expect you to die...I have already seen the plans for 'Project U-Vox'; vinyl and plastic will not help you, it will only seal your fate...even if it is designed by Peter Saville..."

"Damn you Foxx! DAMN YOU!!!!!!!"

John Foxx will return in Casino Royale...

It's send you mad.

And this is before the album is even out!!

I think there's a lot of buzz about this album for a couple of reasons--at least from an American perspective.

While it's true that we don't have the full album yet, we've heard quite a bit between the singles that have been released and the songs played at the Roundhouse gig. From what's been heard so far, this seems like an album that will appeal more to those who have a great nostalgia for 80s music (I hesitate to say 30-40 somethings, because there is a younger crowd into this as well). Yes, I know some of you will disagree with the idea that this album is "retro", but I would maintain that it is in some respect--I don't think it can avoid a "retro" feel because they're using retro equipment. I can tell you that I've sent links to the clips from this album to different friends, and they have been more excited about this than anything else John has put out in the last 10 years.

I like a lot of what John has put out in the last 10 years, but I think a lot of it has niche appeal. I'm not sure quite how to explain that--he's made a lot of music designed to be played with films he's put together, and other projects often border on the "ambient". (That word is awkward and doesn't really do justice to his work. But it's hard to put a label on what's different). This is the rather long way of saying that Interplay promises to have a broader appeal, outside of John's usual devoted audience. I don't think we have to worry about it being over-hyped; whatever criticism one may have of John's work, it's never sloppy. Everything has to be just right. And one of the most appealing things about his work is that it consists of well-crafted and thoughtful songs regardless of how they're labeled, not cheesy synth-pop that is only appealing when you've been drinking heavily in an 80s nightclub.

(And...just to be clear...I'm not suggesting that those worried about too much hype are accusing John of sloppy or half-baked releases. It's just an observation about his work).

The other reason for the buzz would have to be social media. Steve is doing a pretty good job of creating a lot of buzz for this album--he's finally posting more to Twitter, and you're hearing a lot about this in a LOT of different news sources. This is an age where such discussions go viral, so it's not surprising that more people would be talking so much about the album.

In any case, it will be interesting to see how this album sells as compared to others--if all of the hype ends up affecting the actual sales.

Can't get onto Townsend ....

Seems OK to me...

Rob

Not mad!...much...

Just enthusiastic for a new Foxx release that I've not witnessed since the 1980s!

I think Brigid said it better than my scribble, but the feeling's the same!

New site is up! http://www.johnfoxxandthemaths.com

thanks for the link Brian looks great.

Yeah thanks - looks nice.
Could have made it a bit more social network friendly though with all the various links to fb, twitter and all that (see OMD site) .. all the rage these days...

Agreed. But a positive start.

The website is a fairly straightforward Wordpress affair. I checked. It's ridiculously easy to add social media integration. It's also too easy to go overboard. I like the "understatedness".

(I have "a few" Wordpress sites of my own. Why bother hand-coding php when it can be SO much easier?)

Just pre-ordered Interplay.
And downloaded Evergreen. I'm on my eighth play right now. WOW. Excellent!

Can't wait for the album.

What does everyone think of Shatterproof.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6hiT5Kgz4k

The jury is still out for me. Sounds like a filler...

I am loving everything else though. My journey to work is just long enough to get Destination, September Town and Evergreen in..

Loving Evergreen!

After a couple of hours a few listens and turning up the volume my opinion is that its a grower.......

This band needs to come to the US!!!!

a bit scarey ... and perhaps not such a good album opener. But this a remix isn't it?
..not that it matters much..

Re: Shatterproof: Well, I like it. Of course, much of what I listen to makes this sound about as "scary" as Evergreen. And it didn't even register one alarmed head-turn from the cat, so it can't be that scary...

Ok we'll go with the cat then.

They're usually right.

I've just noticed that the favicon for the Maths Website is still the default "Wordpress"

Ive created a favicon from the meta28cd image here:

http://www.nervejam.com/images/foxx/favicon.ico

[img]http://www.nervejam.com/images/foxx/favicon.ico[/img]

Interesting post - had we had this forum before the launch of Metamatic (just for arguments sake lets assume we all knew each other in those days) what kind of buzz would there have been? Many of us snotty nosed teenagers. Would have been interesting.

The clips I have heard divide me - I do feel a sense of nostalgia because of the analogue sounds, but at the same time there is such a purity in those sound that I don't recall hearing before. I'm genuinely intrigued, and yes, looking forward to hearing more.

Evergreen sent some very strong signals as I though I had heard it before. The lead in has a touch of similarity to "See no Reason" by a band called Metropolis. That is where the similarity ends (it's a real pop song), but as that song was also from the same era ('82?) that sense of nostalgia was VERY strong.

Roll on March, roll on April!

Nice deliriously happy post Garry, from which it would appear that:
'Interplay' - 'every packet carries a government health warning', 'prolonged waiting until you get your taste of it may result in complete loss of control, followed by a sense of spiritual awakening...'

Good post Brigid. Retro yes, but Evergreen is like a breath of fresh air for me and doesn't really feel like an old wind blowing this way once more. Its (as John himself said at the time of The Golden Section) a parallel thread where one type of thing never ended but just continued on. Maybe there's something of that lost but valid existence going on with where John's at now with his electro. I sure hope so.

Some work does, yes, ASL, Mirrorball, and the world of Interplay is also on an island, a much larger one, just like all alternative music remains to be unless it connects with the mainland (mainstream). So, c'mon Interplay, give a friendly wave over to ASL and Mirrorball, those smaller dollops of land out on that big blue ocean you all float on

Its good to know that, and all power to Steve. I really think 'the hype' should continue to be maxed up for this release.

I see what you mean Chris, and I really like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZvv6qbR7aY

This has been addressed.

The new site now uses a section of the album artwork as its favicon

http://www.johnfoxxandthemaths.com

Totally love it! (except for the tiny break near one minute before the end). It's in the key of Cabaret Voltaire's Crackdown or Micro Phonies, but as this is the Medicine Edit it's impossible to say what I'll feel about the album version.

How resourceful you are! This version is so much cleaner than the 19 yr old vinyl copy I have! Still sounds like it is recorded in the front room though!

I saw this band in Stevenage at that time, missed the last bus home so started walking the 10-12 miles (km?) back to WGC. Those WERE the days!

I never thought about that. Yes, its an edit and the album version may be different.
Cool.. :p

I see what you mean about the Cabaret Voltaire thing. The Crackdown / Just Fascination was one of my fave 12" singles "back in the day".

Collins and Herring played Evergreen on Saturday's Radio6 show. Nice. Commented "Mmm. Old-fashioned electronics"..

They also played New Life, and Sound of the Crowd.
Good show.

bbc Radio 6

Regarding the packaging for the forthcoming album by John Foxx and The Maths...

The first 1500 copies of Interplay will be housed in a special limited edition deluxe digi-pack. This will include the full lyrics, together with a thorough breakdown of all of analogue synthesizer equipment which was used to create the album. This digi-pack will open out into a mathematical sign, and will feature a number of colour images and graphics, all of which were designed by renowned graphic artist Jonathan Barnbrook.

These will be allocated on a 'first come - first served' basis. So if you've already pre-ordered a copy through Townsend Records then you will be in-line to receive a copy of the limited edition deluxe digi-pack. A standard jewel-case edition will also be available.

Rob

RESULT!

I wasn't really thinking of pre-ordering this early but I succumbed at the mention of a deluxe digi-pack. Yum Yum.

Evergreen is wonderful.

Is it possible to ask for the jewel case version, when ordering .....
I HATE digi packs!!

I also hate them, but in this instance I'm eager for that lovely Barnbrook design and packaging.

Only 1500 copies - fret - just how big is that pre-order queue - agony - its only Tuesday and this months wage is still to make its way to the bank - ooh - that temptation to press the 'purchase and be damned button' is so hard to resist...

Pre-ordered my copy immediately after I read the email from Townsend (re: digi-pack), hope I got in just in time. :rolleyes: