Embracism by Kirin J Callinan

Australia\'s Kirin J. Callinan has elicited comparisons to his homeland\'s greatest underground star, Nick Cave. Callinan\'s fearless intensity dips its toes into random dissonance (\"Way II War\"), which comes and goes as naturally as the songs ebb and flow. His music has a chameleon aspect, moving from electro-industrial sounds through synth-pop weirdness and foreboding ambient nastiness. Various tracks recall David Bowie (\"Halo\"), Iggy Pop (\"Landslide\"), Scott Walker (\"Embracism\"), and Depeche Mode (\"Victoria M.\"). Such big names might seem a bit much for an artist with just a debut album, but this former Mercy Arms guitarist doesn\'t let up through any of these 10 songs. He\'s got attitude aplenty, from crossdressing to playing with silly showbiz tropes. But from the extended meditation of \"Chardonnay Sean\" to the twitchy \"Stretch It Out,\" he sounds as poised as a long-term professional and as inspired as a young man who still believes he can change the world.

Recorded & arranged by Kim Moyes at Piper Lane, Sydney Australia Mixed by and additional production by Chris Taylor at Terrible Studios, Germantown USA Mastered by Joe LaPorta at Sterling Sound, NYC USA All tracks written by Kirin J Callinan except Embracism (lyrics: Callinan / music: Callinan, Moyes) Additional recording on Chardonnay Sean @ Terrible Studios USA; Additional recording on WIIW + Halo @ the Siberia Mountain Recording House, Katoomba; Stormbank Studios Melbourne; & Kriss Kross Studios, Sydney Australia Additional recording & assistance by Alex Akers, Chris Taylor, Daniel Stricker, Ivan Vizintin, Jaie Gonzales, Pat Santa Maria, Sam Vine, Tim Dunn & Wade Keirghan.

7.4 / 10

The debut album by Kirin J Callinan investigates the Australian solo artist's predilection for the awkward, scarred, and imperfect sides of human bodies and emotions. Between the erratic shrapnel of percussion, jagged guitar, and Callinan’s serrated vocals, Embracism is an album you'll feel.

8 / 10

A musical stream of consciousness provided some coherence by Callinan's striking songwriting skill, and his imposing personality being front and centre.

With a gnarly, throat-shredding voice and confrontational stage persona, Australian Kirin J Callinan does not make it easy to love his music.

Discover Embracism by Kirin J. Callinan released in 2013. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic.

7.5 / 10

This raspy-throated singer and guitarist has snagged comparisons to fellow Australian Nick Cave, though his dramatic style can bring more of an industrial-smitten Bowie to mind.

9 / 10

Clash reviews the astounding 'Embracism', the debut album from Australian musician Kirin J Callinan

72 %

Kirin J Callinan lays a lot bare on his debut album. On Embracism he punches out his words, snarling, shouting, and dropping into deadpan at a moment’s notice; schizophrenic you might even say. His imagery and lyrics are just as intense, all about finding that middle ground between love and anger; nature and fashion; masturbation

3.8 / 5

Kirin J. Callinan - Embracism review: The stars are all dirt and God is in the waterâ¦ and hell is right here on earth.