“The whole thing largely feels like a British album,” Gerard Way said recently of this debut solo venture. “I was able to bring out my Britpop influences tremendously.” The former My Chemical Romance frontman has stuck true to his word on a record packed with 90s sounds. The heavy guitar riffs and distorted vocals on opening track Bureau are a nod to Supergrass, the fuzz pedal on single No Shows is Lush-era shoegaze. Lyrics on Drugstore Perfume wouldn’t be out of place on a Suede album. Yes, it’s a big step away from MCR’s post-hardcore rock anthems, with Way’s Bowie-like charisma and undeterred passion a familiar call to arms.
