Jun, 2019
4 Star Review
The Divine Comedy - Office Politics ****
Surprising left-turn from arch singer-songwriter.
There are moments on The Divine Comedy's 12th studio album when you wonder what has happened to Neil Hannon. Synths and electronica abound: there on the riveting Queuejumper and on a title track that seemingly intertwines Ian Dury and Prince, while Psychological Evaluation, a spoken-word duet between Hannon and a machine over a drum'n'bass backdrop, is magnificent.
Given his arch pop background it's a startling turn yet there's more traditional songwriting here, too - the surburban vignette of Norman And Norma, for instance. But it's the beeping, whirring creations that shine most, signalling that Hannon and his trademark wit and empathy are still there; they just have more wires this time.
Listen To: Queuejumper | Psychological Evaluation
Laura Barton
Q Magazine, June 2019
