Poptical Illusion (stylised as POPtical uoᴉsnllI) is the eighteenth studio album by the Welsh musician and composer John Cale, released on 14 June 2024 by Double Six and Domino. In contrast to his previous album, Mercy (2023), which featured many collaborators at different studios, Poptical Illusion was produced by Cale along with his manager Nita Scott in his Los Angeles studio with Cale performing most of the instruments.
Background On 26 March 2024 the first single from the album, "How We See the Light", was released along with a music video directed by Pepi Ginsberg. On 8 May the second single, "Shark-Shark", was released with a music video directed by Abigail Portner. On 19 August the third single, "Davies and Wales" was released along with a music video directed by Jethro Waters. Two tracks – "Beethoven in the Old West" and "News of Nicholas" – are only available on a 7" bonus single that comes with the limited edition 2LP version of the album.
Critical reception
Year-end lists + Select year-end rankings for POPtical Illusion Publication/critic Accolade RankMOJO The Best Albums Of 202428Uncut 80 Best Albums of 202421
Track listing
Notes "All to the Good" is omitted from the vinyl versions, but is available with purchase through an MP3/WAV download card, along with an alternate mix of "Shark-Shark".
Personnel
John Cale – vocals, synthesizers, production (all tracks); drums (tracks 1–4, 6–12), bass (1–3, 6–10, 12), piano (1, 2, 13), organ (2–5, 9, 10), fretless bass (4), Empirical Egyptian Scale piano (6), noises (7, 8), sampler (7, 10, 13), guitar solo (8); guitars, SampleTron (9); electric keyboard (11), electric piano (12), bass organ (13) Nita Scott – production (all tracks), background vocals (track 3), keyboards (4, 8, 12), samples (4, 12), programming (4), drum programming (8), drums (10, 12); noises, sampler (10); bass (11) Dustin Boyer – recording (all tracks), guitar (tracks 1–3, 6, 7, 9), acoustic guitar (5), noises (7) Seven Davis Jr. – mixing (tracks 1, 3, 4, 11) Mikaelin "Blue" Bluespruce – mixing (tracks 2, 5–8, 10, 12, 13) Justin Raisen – mixing (track 9) Mike Bozzi – mastering Björn Copeland – artwork Rob Carmichael – design
Charts + Chart performance for Poptical Illusion Chart (2024) Peakposition UK Albums Sales (OCC) 32
References
External links