This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
CMU Approved
Approved: Bernholz
By Andy Malt | Published on Thursday 2 February 2012
Jez Berns, or Bernholz, releases his debut single, ‘Austerity Boy’, through Anti-Ghost Moon Ray Records (home also to Gazelle Twin) next month. An homage, or perhaps response, to Madonna’s ‘Material Girl’, it’s pop with its roots firmly placed in experimentation.
In fact, we can trace how Berns reached this point back to his first two releases last year, ‘Consequences 1 (Variations On A Theme)’ and ‘Consequences 2 (Faking It)’. Both released as free downloads, the first is a collection of ideas more than fully formed tracks, while the second is an extended improvisation of ever building looping layers abruptly cut off after fifteen minutes. They had something but weren’t wholly satisfying. However, when reigned in and forced into a pop structure, the Bernholz sound becomes altogether more intriguing.
‘Austerity Boy’ bounces urgently along, rushing to reach its climax, while Berns’ vocal holds it back, focussing on the central hook – the strangely catchy line, “No prosperity for this austerity boy”. Once he sets himself proper boundaries, and stops allowing his mind to wander, Berns has the ability to deliver something great, as is also proved on his cover of Etta James’ ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’, released in tribute to the late singer who died earlier this month.
Released on 19 Mar, ‘Austerity Boy’ will be given its official launch with a gig at the Green Door Store in Brighton on 23 Mar. Bernholz’s debut album, ‘How Things Are Made’, is due for release later this year.
