Released: 2016

Genres: Alternative Rock, Art Rock

The Musiquarium’s Post Pop Depression Review Score: 8.5 out of 10

Considering that The Stooge’s two revival albums weren’t particularly well-received (The Weirdness, Ready to Die) and Iggy Pop hasn’t been attached to a genuine classic since his pair of Bowie-produced albums in 1977 (The Idiot, Lust for Life), I think it’s safe to say that nobody was expecting a great album from Iggy Pop in 2016, but here we are.

Iggy Pop has always been overflowing with charisma and personality, but he seems to work best when he’s collaborating with other talented musicians. It was definitely a wise choice to hire a backing band full of some of the best modern rock musicians, which seemed to help to push Iggy Pop creatively.

Break Into Your Heart features that classic Josh Homme psychedelic guitar sound, and clues the listener in on how this is going to be a Josh Homme project just as much as an Iggy Pop one (despite it solely being listed as an Iggy album). Gardenia (not to be confused with the Kyuss song of the same name) makes use of a rotary sound. Vulture is an acoustic detour.

It wouldn’t be an Iggy Pop album without some sophomoric lyrics, such as on Chocolate Drops, where Iggy sings “when you get to the bottom, you’re near the top, the shit turns into chocolate drops”. German Days is likely a reference to Iggy Pop and David Bowie’s stay in Berlin in the late seventies, which resulted in several classic rock records released between the pair. Closer Paraguay starts off with a group vocal and makes for a fitting finale.

Josh Homme injects his usual swagger and groove into the songs, and him and Iggy just emanate cool, with their voices coalescing well; a nice contrast between Iggy’s aged, deepening vocals and Josh’s more youthful falsettos. Matt Helders drum work is tight as usual too. Iggy Pop definitely had one of the best backing bands ever here, which helped to make Post Post Depression his best album since Lust for Life and his third solo great solo album.

For credit breakdowns and historic release details, view Iggy Pop on Discogs.

Back to the 2016 Album Guide or the Iggy Pop Reviews page.

Written by Brett Nippard