Gang of Four ‘Complicit’ EP (April 20, 2018)
Gang of Four started in 1977 and its first phase, incorporating several changes of lineup, lasted until 1983. As guitarist, composer, producer and lyric writer, Andy Gill was and remains the band’s driving force. Co-produced by Gill himself alongside Ben Hillier (Blur, Depeche Mode) and Ross Orton (M.I.A., Arctic Monkeys), ‘Complicit’ also captures Andy building on his writing partnership with frontman Gaoler.
Gang of Four released a new EP, ‘Complicit’ on April 20, 2018. Their first new material in three years, the release bookends a period since 2015’s critically acclaimed album ‘What Happens Next’, during which Gang of Four has been championed by artists as diverse as St Vincent, James Murphy, Pharrell Williams and Frank Ocean, the latter of which sampled the band on ‘Blonde’.
The new EP – trailed recently with spiky lead single “Lucky” – arrives with cover art depicting both Ivanka Trump & the Russian word for ‘complicit’. “Lucky” is lyrically seems to be in reference to the US election, which was supposedly effected by Russian interference. “Ivanka (Things You Can’t Have)” is almost reminiscent of a Prince song and is clearly refers to the current Trump scandal with porn star Stormy Daniels.
“I’m a Liar” is generally about distinguishing truth from lies, which is a running theme in the media on both sides of the political spectrum. Closing the ‘Complicit’ EP is thumping remix of “Lucky” by 10 O’Clock Chemical, which is a much more electronic dance inspired version sure to get the listener moving. Gang of Four shows they are still as musically and politically relevant as ever, this EP stands up well against the newer bands they influenced.
