Timing, as they say, is everything. On September 24th, I reviewed the latest offerings from both Fluid Japan and one of their collaborative efforts. Wouldn’t you know it, the very next day another Fluid Japan collaboration was released and I sheepishly decided that I would wait a suitable cooling off period before pivoting back to them with another post. So I’ve bought and listened to the fruits of their labor more than a few times since then. I see that a few PPM regular commenters have already bought this on Bandcamp, but it’s time for PPM to add to the chorus of hosannas.

We’ve been following the tangled web of intrigue that connected numerous Art Rockers we enjoy in the Bandcamp environment. I probably first got my feet wet in Bandcamp with the work of Steven Jones and Logan Sky. The duo began in the aftermath of Visage to craft their journey from Synth pop to Art Rock over their career arc. Then came Jan Linton; master of the eBow, among many other instruments, who specialized in music that began at the Roxy Music/Ultravox/JAPAN axis. Then I discovered Fluid Japan who have stylistic overlap with both of the former artists while moving into areas like Shoegaze that were uncommon to each. And then they began collaborating with one another in various combinations. And in the process, everyone’s game rose in the process. Now it’s Steven Jones turn to form a third mind with Fluid Japan and the results are a smooth cruise down the Autobahn in the wee hours.

Steven Jones + Fluid Japan: Truth – UK/US – DL [2025]

1. Truth 4:59

A low tempo motorik synth pulse placidly set the methodical pace as delicate harp began to spill downward like night blossoms releasing their heady fragrance. A choral patch skittered down a corridor of gated delay. Then Mr. Jones began singing the lyric in a questioning tone as the guitar and drum programming kicked in by the third couplet in the first verse as the song began to truly simmer. With Todd Lewis of Fluid Japan adding deep Hooklike bass lines over the steady synth bass pulse already there.

The bass guitar notes began bending with anguish in the second chorus in direct contrast with the placid, glassy mood that Mr. Jones established and maintained with his vocal. Giving the song a preternaturally calm surface but with roiling drama in its depths. As the song began its gentle climax, the backing vocals began reverberating and swelling in the mix. Ending the song on a false note as Steven seemed to have the last word as the music bed dropped out to give the song maximum smoldering power with his voice seemingly the last thing we heard. Only to have the shimmering synths return for a pair of grace notes. Listen now.

Here was a song that had all the smoky power of Bryan Ferry from his “Boys + Girls” period but with call backs to New Order from the same era. And the use of harp really showed where the aim was here. In hitting a target whose intensity juxtaposed a relentless rhythmic push coupled with an elegant reserve in the vocal but with the emotional turmoil springing unstoppably from the depths within the muscular bass guitar. The poise and power of Steven Jones coupled with the reach of Fluid Japan get on like a house on fire here. The Bandcamp page suggests there’s more where this came from and I say “sign me up!” You may obtain this track right now in Bandcamp in your choice medium to hi-res files for whatever price you choose. Choose well. These artists need every bit of encouragement to continue their superb work together. What are you waiting for? DJ hit that button!

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