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Elvis Costello & The Imposters show no sign of slowing down with their latest LP ‘The Boy Named If’.
While the world went into lockdown over the past 24 months, Costello has been impressively prolific, releasing two albums – ‘Hey Clockface’ (2020) and ‘Spanish Model’ (2021) – and it seems the latter informed his latest work.
For that record, the musician gathered Spanish-speaking rockers to translate his 1978 album with the Attractions, ‘This Year’s Model’, and on ‘The Boy Named If’ he leans into that sound for a new collection of original material.
The record sees Costello team with The Imposters – the original Attractions, with the addition of bassist Davey Faragher – and the result is a rousing collection of vignettes tackling an array of themes and subject matter.
While the narrative may best be understood by Costello himself, the lyrics are largely accessible – whether it’s infidelity (What if I Can’t Give You Anything But Love?), inappropriate encounters (My Most Beautiful Mistake) or the title character who always seems to escape trouble, the core of the larger-than-life record is essentially human.
Some tracks stand out more than others and, on such a bombastic selection of tracks, its surprising how more intimate numbers like Paint The Red Rose Blue and closer Mr Crescent often speak the loudest.
If Costello’s convoluted lyrics aren’t enough, deluxe editions come with an 88-page book, titled ‘The Boy Named If and Other Children’s Tales’, written and illustrated by the star, adding another component to his latest work.
Although created remotely, ‘The Boy Named If’ is a unified effort and proof that, as he celebrates the 45th anniversary of debut album ‘My Aim Is True’, Costello is as hot musically today as he’s ever been.
‘The Boy Named If’ is available to pre-order on CD and 2LP vinyl.
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