Lyrically and musically, the 12 original songs here represent Grant’s most ambitious work, cementing his reputation as the most brutally honest, caustic, profound and funny diarist of the human condition.
“Grey Tickles” in the album title draws direct translation from “midlife crisis” in Icelandic, while “Black Pressure” translates to “nightmare” in Turkish, reflecting the darkly introspective subjects on the album.
The album opens in an unsettling swirl of overlapping voices repeating 1st Corinthians 13:4 in multiple languages before dissolving into fuzz, and closes with the same passage read clearly, this time by a young girl. In between, Grant’s depth and range are vividly present as he further refines and entwines his two principal strands of musical DNA, the sumptuous tempered ballad and the taut, fizzing electronic pop song. Tracey Thorn, Amanda Palmer and former Banshees drummer Budgie appear as guests on the album.