Roger Taylor Unleashes the Fury with 'Violence Insane In A Beautiful World'
In a thunderous return to the forefront of rock music, Roger Taylor, the legendary drummer and songwriter of QUEEN, has announced the arrival of his new album, "Violence Insane In A Beautiful World," set to drop on September 18 via Columbia Records. This LP is heralded by the electrifying second single, "I See You Now," which comes complete with an elegantly haunting black-and-white music video that juxtaposes the beauty of love with the chaos of the world.
Debuting on Vernon Kaye's BBC Radio 2, "I See You Now" opens with poignant lyrics that reflect the deep-seated connection between Taylor and his wife, Sarina. As he unveils the track, he describes it as a love letter, a raw expression of intimacy that evolves over time: "When you really get to know someone, it's, 'Oh, I see you now. That's it.'" This emotional depth is further amplified by the visual artistry of the accompanying video, showcasing the couple's decade-long journey through the stormy seas of life.
"Violence Insane In A Beautiful World" marks Taylor's seventh solo venture since 1977 and follows the critically lauded "Outsider," which stormed the charts in 2021. Despite not being a concept album, the overarching theme is unmistakable, as Taylor articulates a plea for awareness amid the insanity plaguing our existence. "It’s horrific, a lot of insane violence. And we do seem to be fucking up the world, plastics in the sea, you know, and all these awful wars everywhere and hatred born of different religions," he states, painting a stark picture of our reality.
Yet, amid the darkness, there’s a glimmer of hope. Taylor insists on the importance of kindness and compassion, stating, "It’s a beautiful world, you know. And kindness is very important, I think, it seems to be forgotten quite a lot." This juxtaposition of despair and hope permeates the album, which features contributions from the Ndlovu Youth Choir from South Africa, adding an unexpected depth to the sound. Their vocal prowess transforms the tracks, giving them a new dimension that reverberates with the listener.
In a cosmic twist of fate, as Taylor was finalizing the artwork for this ambitious project, NASA's Artemis II mission captured breathtaking images of Earth from the dark side of the Moon. The album cover, inspired by the perspective of an alien observing our world, encapsulates both the beauty and the turmoil present in our society. Taylor reflects on the kismet of it all, revealing that the cover art tells the story of humanity's struggles and triumphs as seen from afar.
As he dives into the political undertones of the album, particularly on tracks like "Chump," Taylor's candidness about the current state of the world resonates deeply. With figures like Nigel Farage looming large in the political landscape, he expresses skepticism and disillusionment, humorously noting that his wife is considering leaving the country should politics take a turn for the worse. The reality is stark, and Taylor’s music doesn’t shy away from confronting it head-on.