Dorian Reland - The Line

Stream The Line here (Spotify)

I'm always in awe of people like amazing pop artist, Dorian Reland. He doesn't conform to the norm, enjoys challenging preconceptions and breaking down the hetero-normative stereotypes that still govern our society. He's a one man ambassador for encouraging people to let their freak flag fly, not be ashamed of who they love (and how they love them), and urging us to embrace all facets of our sexuality that, oft as British people, we are too polite or uptight to talk about. He's years younger than I yet has taught me many things - through seductively catchy pop songs and their equally stunning/suggestive visuals that accompany them. He's the ultimate pop renegade rebel and now he's bought a collection of his musical creations together for the launch of his stimulating new EP, The Line. Leave your inhibitions at the door because it's a rollercoaster ride of titillating lyrics, arousing melodies and full on sinsational vocals from the ballsy Mr Reland himself.

Rather appropriately, the experience (for it is more than an EP) kicks off with the beguiling sounds of Midnight. There has always been something mystifying, magical and mesmerising about the witching hour - one day closes, another one opens and it's almost as if Mother Nature is letting us peak into the darkest recesses of her soul. It's an electrifying introduction to the EP, with intoxicating electro-sounds seeking to bewitch, bother and bewilder the listener. All the whilst Dorian gives an urgent, fevered vocal that highlights the dizzying nature of the lyrics. When it gives way to an elegiac piano riff, the world falls away and you're just left with his beautiful voice and a melancholy sigh. It's an effect that sends shivers down your spine and prepares you to enter the world of Dorian. And what a world it is - Life Is Hard is a kiss on the cheek as much as it is a tug on your balls! Co-written with Ido Flax, it's an ode to the struggles one faces when launching a burgeoning music career - all your money being spent on creating sound and visuals. It may sound self-indulgent, heck it is self-indulgent but that's the whole point. There's a brash exuberance and cheeky charm to the song that crafts together a heady blend of early Gaga and Spice Girls in their prime. This gives an endorphin rush that is more giddying than any poppers as Dorian ably guides you through his life - an open book for you to peruse. His chatty style of singing during the verses welcomes you into the song, lulls you into a false sense of security before - like a blast of icy cold water or an unexpected but welcome spanking - that indelible chorus squirts it's melodic genius all over you in orgasmic waves of crunch guitar and dominant beats. It's the type of song that has you pumping your fist - uh, to the sky (you filthy lot) in triumphant anticipation of Dorian's worldwide success; the type of song that reminds you that fame isn't instant as a sob story on X Factor but blood, sweat, cash, tears and hard blooming work; the type of song that reminds you that pop can be irreverent, fun and a rollicking good time - and quite frankly, that's exactly the type of song we need in the world right now.

Through an elegant swathe of orchestral wonderment, Oversexual inserts itself comfortably next to Life Is Hard. It is a simmering, shimmering pop dance treat that urges you to shed your sexual inhibitions and open yourself up like a lotus flower. As noted, the tune launches into life with an intro that is pure opening number of a Disney musical before transmorphing into invigorating dance number complete with a thrusting bass, hand clap/bottom slap percussion & life-affirming synth effects that cause a frisson of excitement as tangible as any lust fueled first touch. Dorian gives a passionate seductive vocal performance that sees him (heavy) breathe life into the lyrics about sexual conquest & letting your base instincts rule your body. His engaging pop voice has just the right amount of persuasive magnetism to make him the perfect champion of carnal surrender. Indeed so convincing is he that as the palpitating music & captivating vocals coalesce, you're left breathless & panting with desire at this fully satisfying musical experience. From the dub breakdowns to that essential chorus, everything about this number gets a passionate "yes, yes, more OH GOD MORE" from me. Mercifully, there's no edging here as more, more, more comes next in the form of Slave To Love. It's a languorous, mellifluous mid-tempo song with swirling strings, cascading synths and a percolating groove that underscores this tale of obsession, addiction and compulsion. It's the perfect backdrop for Dorian's vocals to really shine - and it feels like the song and lyrics are really allowed to breathe thanks to the wonderful production values. It's like a musical ballet come to life through the tangible energy in Dorian's hypnotic and soaring, nuanced delivery. He seeks out the truth of the lyrics with his tonal quality and it is entirely rapturous from beginning to end. Put it this way - it's the type of song that at his future worldwide tour will make the arenas come to a silent standstill as they gaze in rapt adoration. Pop at it's very finest.

Title track, The Line, brings the pep back through a rocky groove and an assertive refrain. It's an invitation to anyone who wants to listen - to explore those dark desires that can so often remain hidden in the hardest to reach recesses of your mind and soul. As the music progresses (particularly that vibrant drum lick) it feels like it peels away every veneer and instead of this being the end of the line, it is actually beginning of something wild and provocative. The spoken word in the middle 8 adds to the aura that something mind-bending is happening - perhaps a throwback to Michael Jackson's Thriller as it has that same tingle of anticipation and tantalising sense of palpitating adventure. It's trepidation mixed with elation - and once again, Dorian is the most riveting of vocal hosts. Sinsation continues the theme of opening up to your sexual desires and further explores this with some instruction for those people who think they can define what "normal" behaviour is. It's a great big middle finger to those folks as Dorian urges the listener to unleash their inner sexual prowess and just embrace what turns them on. It is nothing to be ashamed or scared of - just a form of expression for us all and one that sees him take command of the lyrics and give a compelling, liberating vocal. It's set to a driving rock-infused beat that adds to the self-assured nature of the song - this alone gives it a scintillating spark yet there's also these emphatic and delicious pop moments such as the cheerleader-esque rhythms and the 'whoa' backing vocals that propel the chorus sky high. And what a chorus it is - as addictive as it is effusive, Dorian is a man on a mission and I for one am subscribing to his scripture. And by the time you get to the pulsating spoken word of the middle 8 I can guarantee you are practically writhing around in ecstasy (as if strapped down to the bed whilst some hot dude teases your most erogenous of zones).

Sadly all good things must come to an end... Where Do I Go From Here is the pondering conclusion to Dorian (and the listener's) journey. It brings The Line full circle by encouraging further introspection to help map the next stage of your life. It works not only as the moral to the lessons Dorian has wrought, but as a question for this artist who has poured heart and soul into this musical venture. Putting yourself out to the world is fraught with perils as well as bounteous rewards - we leave Dorian at a crossroads in his career and regardless of which direction he heads in next, he can proud of this sterling body of work he has left us with. Still, I can't help but feel this is just the start of his legacy...