Strange Dance
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Strange Dance
| type = studio
| cover = Philip Selway - Strange Dance.png
| alt =
| artist = Philip Selway
| released = 24 February 2023
| recorded =
| studio = Evolution Recording Studios (Oxford)
| genre = Alternative rock{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/strange-dance-mw0003850265 |website=Allmusic |title=Phil Selway - Strange Dance |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |access-date=6 March 2023}}
| length = 46:55
| label = Bella Union
| producer = Marta Salogni
| prev_title = Let Me Go OST
| prev_year = 2017
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Strange Dance
| type = studio
| single1 = Check for Signs of Life
| single1date = 25 October 2022
| single2 = Picking Up Pieces
| single2date = 9 January 2023
| single3 = Strange Dance
| single3date = 8 February 2023
}}
}}
Strange Dance is the third studio album by the English musician Philip Selway. It was released on 24 February 2023 via Bella Union. It comes almost nine years after Selway's previous studio album, Weatherhouse, not including Selway's composition of the soundtrack to the film Let Me Go in 2017. The album received generally positive reviews.
Content
Selway described his vision for the project as "a Carole King record if she collaborated with the pioneering electronic composer Daphne Oram and invited her to drum on it".{{cite web |url=https://philipselway.bandcamp.com/album/strange-dance |website=Bandcamp |title=Philip Selway – Strange Dance |access-date=16 January 2023}} Contributors include Marta Salogni, who also produced the album, and Hannah Peel, Adrian Utley of Portishead and Quinta.{{cite web |url=https://consequence.net/2022/10/philip-selway-radiohead-strange-dance-check-for-signs-of-life-stream/ |website=Consequence |title=Radiohead's Philip Selway Announces New Solo Album Strange Dance, Shares "Check for Signs of Life" |last=Anderson |first=Carys |access-date=16 January 2023 |date=26 October 2022}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/radiohead-drummer-philip-selway-new-album-1234618528/amp/ |title=Radiohead Drummer Philip Selway Announces New Solo LP 'Strange Dance' |magazine=Rolling Stone |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |access-date=24 January 2023 |date=26 October 2022}} Selway chose not to drum on the album, finding he was out of practice and "not in the right mindset", and enlisted the Italian drummer Valentina Magaletti.{{Cite web |last=Jack |first=Malcolm |date=2023-01-25 |title=Interview: Radiohead legend Philip Selway takes us on a Strange Dance |url=https://www.bigissue.com/culture/music/radiohead-legend-philip-selway-takes-us-on-a-strange-dance/ |access-date=2023-01-28 |website=The Big Issue |language=en}}
The album cover features a piece by the abstract painter Stewart Geddes.{{Cite web |last=Westall |first=Mark |date=2023-02-15 |title=New exhibition by Radiohead's Philip Selway & painter Stewart Geddes opens next week. |url=https://fadmagazine.com/2023/02/15/new-exhibition-by-radioheads-philip-selway-painter-stewart-geddes-opens-next-week/ |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=FAD Magazine |language=en-GB}}
Release
"Check for Signs of Life" was released as the first single on 25 October 2022, followed by "Picking Up Pieces" on 9 January 2023, and “Strange Dance” on 8 February 2023.{{cite magazine |last=Pappis |first=Konstantinos |date=8 February 2023 |title=Radiohead's Philip Selway Unveils New Single 'Strange Dance'|url= https://ourculturemag.com/2023/02/08/radioheads-philip-selway-unveils-new-single-strange-dance/|access-date=24 February 2023 |magazine=Our Culture Mag}} Strange Dance was released on 24 February 2023 via Bella Union.{{cite web |last=Qureshi |first=Arusa |date=26 October 2022 |title=Radiohead's Philip Selway announces new solo album 'Strange Dance' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/radioheads-philip-selway-announces-new-solo-album-strange-dance-3336589 |access-date=24 January 2023 |website=NME}}
Alongside the standard release, the album received a deluxe edition for vinyl containing a second LP called Liminal, consisting of pieces Selway composed for the film Carmilla and the BBC Radio 3 play Sea Longing, alongside additional prints by Geddes.
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = Clash
| rev2 = DIY
| rev2score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web |url=https://diymag.com/review/album/philip-selway-strange-dance |website=DIY |title=Philip Selway - Strange Dance review |last=Martin |first=Bella |access-date=6 March 2023 |date=24 February 2023}}
| rev3 = musicOMH
| rev3score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/philip-selway-strange-dance |website=musicOMH |title=Philip Selway - Strange Dance |last=Hogwood |first=Ben |date=24 February 2023 |access-date=6 March 2023}}
| rev4 = Pitchfork
| rev5 = PopMatters
| rev6 = Uncut
| rev7 = AllMusic
| rev7score = {{rating|3.5|5}}
}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
|headline = Strange Dance track listing
|all_writing = Philip Selway
|title1 = Little Things
|length1 = 3:34
|title2 = What Keeps You Awake at Night
|length2 = 6:56
|title3 = Check for Signs of Life
|length3 = 4:21
|title4 = Picking Up Pieces
|length4 = 4:28
|title5 = The Other Side
|length5 = 4:11
|title6 = Strange Dance
|length6 = 5:57
|title7 = Make It Go Away
|length7 = 3:59
|title8 = The Heart of It All
|length8 = 4:14
|title9 = Salt Air
|length9 = 4:45
|title10 = There'll Be Better Days
|length10 = 4:30
|total_length = 46:55
}}
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Chart performance for Strange Dance ! scope="col"| Chart (2023) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| {{album chart|Scotland|96|date=20230303|rowheader=true|access-date=4 March 2023}} |
| {{album chart|UKDigital|66|date=20230303|rowheader=true|access-date=4 March 2023}} |
| {{album chart|UKIndependent|8|date=20230303|rowheader=true|access-date=4 March 2023}} |
References
{{reflist}}
{{Philip Selway}}
{{2020s-album-stub}}