Darren Hayes Finds His Groove
Ex-Savage Garden Vocalist Releases This Delicate Thing We'Ve Made
A year after parting ways with Columbia Records, for whom he sold 24 million records, and months after his gay civil union, Darren Hayes, releases loaded double album.
Since the demise of Savage Garden, Australian-born lead vocalist Darren Hayes has branched out on his own and produced a series of excellent pop/ electronic albums that have demonstrated the singer’s growth both as an artist and as a man.
In a fair and just musical universe, Hayes should be the George Michael of this generation - having gone from pop duo lead vocalist to solo star to newly outted pop sensation. Unlike Michael, however, it has taken Hayes three albums to arrive at this pinnacle collection of songs; " This Delicate Thing We've Made” is Hayes' "Faith” and the wait has been worth it.
Electronica Explored
More mature than the pop radio friendly “Spin”, his first solo project that basically picked up where Savage Garden left off, and slightly more focused and honest than the darker electronically infused "The Tension and the Spark”, “This Delicate Thing We've Made” not only explores expanded themes but musically it pushes the boundaries of electronic, dance and techno music.
Ironically, this album, released on Hayes’ own label, Powdered Sugar, while giving musical nods to the artists that have so heavily influenced him, could also be his most commercially viable disc yet, if radio programmers would take the chance on playing something different from the usual array of hip hop infused disposable singles.
Filled with introspective songs linking reoccurring themes of the hardships of growing up closeted before having the freedom to express his true self, Hayes tackles the trials and tribulations of his adult gay relationships and the world around him without coming across as preachy, bitter or too in your face.
These songs, while dark, offer hope and a sense of accomplishment backed with electronic twitches and bleeps. You can easily enjoy this double disc without exploring the lyrics or listen closer to the relatable experiences this man shares so honestly and unabridged.
Living in the 80’s
Hayes’ musical production has always had one foot firmly planted in the 80's. This record not only mentions the decade in the lyrics, many of the tracks sound as if they could have been recorded in that era, yet updated for a more modern audience.
Musically, Hayes gives nods to the artists that inspire him from that generation’s masters. "Listen All you People" steals the whistle from Madonna's “Ray of Light” and sends Hayes soaring into a musical atmosphere all his own, while he sounds more like Prince on "Bombs up in My Face" than Prince does on his latest album "Planet Earth"
Lead single “Step into the Light” has already been a dance standard since the beginning of summer as a remixed version sent straight to clubs. Second single proper “On the Verge of Something Wonderful” broke Top Twenty in the UK upon its initial release.
Future singles include the infectious dance anthem “Me, Myself and (I)” the gorgeous “Setting Sun”, the time traveling “Waking the Monster” and “How to build a Time Machine”, and the heart breaking ballad “I Just Want You to Love Me” – a track in line with “Truly, Madly Deeply” and “I Knew You Loved Me” from the Savage Garden years.
While some may dislike the constant high pitched vocals on many of the tracks, especially the initial two on the first disc, there’s no denying Hayes’ talent. With each repeated spin the recordings sound fresher and more intense, as if a layer revealed itself with each listen - an accomplished feat made all the more impressive given this is a double album.
