ALBUM REVIEW: Lenny Kravitz ‘Strut’

Lenny Kravitz returns from his Hunger Games beating to strut his re-found mojo with the release of the aptly titled 'Strut'!
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Last spotted being beaten to death in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire as the rather camp stylist Cinna, Lenny Kravitz returns to his musical roots to follow up his 2011 album Black and White America with his new release simply titled Strut!

Opening track ‘Sex’ has a funky psychedelic rock feel to it and as the title suggests the song revolves around everyone’s favourite topic… sex! With Lenny singing “I am just a slave for your pleasure”, I am guessing Lenny has given up on the celibacy he declared a number of years back and is enjoying nature’s finest gift, once again.

Indeed the second track ‘Chamber’ and accompanying video invokes visual memories of Lenny’s old INXS mucker Michael Hutchence and the ‘The Strangest Party (These Are The Times)’. Set in Paris, sex again appears to be the central theme. The video features a semi-clad Lenny cavorting and dominating a topless model, with strobe lights disguising a deep sound that disturbingly reminds me of the cheesy John Paul Young 70s hit ‘Love Is In The Air’. Nevertheless the song is excellent and the video is very well shot; it is just a shame that without being heavily edited, this track is unlikely to feature on any music station.

With only 5 preview tracks currently available, next up is ‘New York City’ with Lenny pouting “she is my heart… I love New York City”. With a soul/funk sound that is pure Kravitz, fans of the man will love it! Despite the name, ‘The Pleasure And The Pain’ diverts away from the physical sexual nature of love and lyrically appears to draw from the emotional (sometimes painful) side of romance. Final sample track and album title ‘Strut’ is pure in-your-face Lenny Kravitz at his best and having never got the chance to catch the man live before, I hope the release of Strut will lead to a tour that includes at least one date in Scotland.

Admittedly, I have been a bit of fan since I first heard Kravitz back in 1991 when his Motown inspired horn enhanced song ‘It Ain’t Over ‘Till It’s Over’ crashed into the charts. He’s been an artist I have followed casually ever since. That said, it appears Lenny has found his mojo once again with the release of Strut!

Bazza Mills
Twitter: @bazzamills

Bazza Mills
G'day my name is Bazza Mills! Whilst my wife watches reality TV shows, I enjoy listening to music, going to gigs and taking some photos. Growing up between Scotland and Australia exposed me to a variety of music and my tastes range from The Stone Roses to Guns N Roses. Typically, I love most things guitar based and have a love for live music and photography!