In the modern world it seems as if you get more of the same everywhere you turn. A time where groupthink has dominated every aspect of culture, thankfully there are still some free thinkers daring to challenge the narrative. Among those would have to be John Lydon. As lead singer of Sex Pistols, going under the stage name Johnny Rotten, Lydon led the British Punk Rock scene with honest, thought-provoking lyrics and a style unlike any other. From here he would surprise listeners even further upon the fragmenting of Sex Pistols in 1978. How? With the formation of his new, unique band called Public Image Ltd.
Very fitting for Lydon, Public Image Ltd., sometimes abbreviated PiL, was separate from Sex Pistols musically and stylistically. Arguably one of the first ever bands from the Post-Punk era, Public Image Ltd. built success their own way, and it carried through for 14 years over the course of eight studio albums. Then in the summer of ’92, months after the release of That What Is Not, Public Image Ltd. would take a break from everything. A lengthy hiatus which extended through to 2009, since then, Lydon has reformed the band with a new lineup consisting of Drummer Bruce Smith, Multi-instrumentalist Lu Edmonds and Bassist/Keyboardist Scott Firth to head out on tours, plus release two more studio albums. First releasing This is PiL in 2012, What the World Needs Now… arrived in 2015, before the engaging documentary The Public Is Rotten in 2018, followed by the boxset The Public Image is Rotten – Songs from the Heart. Now, after devoting all of his attention to lovely wife Nora Forster, who tragically passed away in April of 2023, Lydon and PiL return with new music.
A journey of new work that launched back in January, with the released the song “Hawaii,” in the scope of the album entitled End of World, it lands at the very end. Looking at this song dedicated to Lydon’s wife, it is nothing less than beautiful, but also quite emotional. From here the mesmerizing “Penge” followed in April, before the more upbeat, dancy “Car Chase” in June. All tracks unique to one another, at last End of World arrived on August 11th via the band’s own label. A total of 13 songs, what transpires is everything you would expect from PiL, but also many things you would not.
If that statement is a little contradictory, it is because the beauty of Lydon and Public Image Ltd. is that you should expect the unexpected. Much like previous works, this new album is rather mixed musically; goes from heavier guitar driven tones, to more bass heavy/synthesizer driven ones. Furthermore, there are also several off-beat moments such as “Dirty Murky Delight” and “The Do That.” Both coupled together toward the second half of the album, what really stands out in this collection are songs like “End of the World,” “Being Stupid Again,” “Walls,” and “L F C F.” All potent with lyrics that point out the hypocrisies of modern culture, perhaps the most telling anthem of all is undeniable “Being Stupid Again.” A track that exemplifies Lydon’s careless approach to what the media or trendy setters think of him, it is an honest reflection of the Aldous Huxley-like Brave New World we are living through.
All in all, End of World is a fantastic Public Image Ltd. record full of bold moments, catchy melodies, and delightfully quirky offerings from Lydon as well. That said, some may criticize this record for Lydon’s candid lyrical content… and that is a bit absurd. So in that respect, it is not for those who prefer living within an echo chamber of their own mainstream thoughts. However, if you are someone who enjoys hearing commentary on society, or at least can deal with having their own thoughts challenged, End of World will strike gold with you. That is why Cryptic Rock gives this exciting new Public Image Ltd. album 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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