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Striking a Chord: Musicians that aren’t Afraid to Change
Myron explores the musicians who have made the most of their platform to reinvent themselves, both musically and aesthetically. It’s not unusual for musicians to adjust their sound as their career progresses, and it can often make a returning artist more exciting to check out. But what about musicians that take it to the next level; musicians that seem to change not just what music they make, but who they are? One of the most significant examples of this happening is David Bowie. A musical chameleon, Bowie changed his brand and identity an astounding number of times.
“A musical chameleon, Bowie changed his brand and identity an astounding number of times” Bowie started relatively quietly with a self-titled folk album when, all of a sudden, bang. Glam. In 1971, Bowie became the androgynous space-rockstar Ziggy Stardust, from his concept album of the same name. Abruptly retiring the persona on stage in 1973, Ziggy was succeeded by Aladdin Sane, sporting that famous lightning bolt across his face. Then, along with 1984-inspired album Diamond Dogs, Bowie became the eye-patched Halloween Jack from Hunger City. In following years, Bowie ditched the mullet, dyed his hair orange and started making soul music. Due to an unhealthy reliance on cocaine, Bowie next became the moody, lonesome and dangerously underweight Thin White Duke. This was just two years after Ziggy was retired, and he still had over 15 albums yet to release. Bowie has said that creating characters through which to perform has served to deal with the nerves of being on-stage. Though you might say that those characters aren’t just an outer mask, but a part of Bowie himself: he took ‘A Space Oddity’s’ Major Tom all the way to his final album, Blackstar. One of 2019’s most acclaimed albums is another great example of artistic reinvention: Tyler, the
Creator’s IGOR. On it, Tyler becomes Igor, tossing and turning his way through a distressing breakup. Igor’s striking suit and wig fashion a unique identity, and Tyler’s live performances ooze with this vibrant personality. Though Tyler is still often called a rapper, IGOR is barely a hip-hop album and the Tyler we know today is a far cry from the Tyler of old, whose boisterous and shamelessly offensive albums like Goblin and Bastard got him banned from the UK. Now he can call himself a Grammy winner, and as Tyler has grown and matured, so has his music. The Beatles also revised their identity, though more musically than physically. In the 1960s, the fab four went from a pop group who made dance-hall friendly tracks, to an experimental band playing around with the conventions they had previously embodied. From Rubber Soul onwards, The Beatles’ work became increasingly inventive. Revolver was a landmark psychedelic record that still tops best album lists today, and Abbey Road played with the pop form, such as with the medleys that populate the album’s second half. Whilst these are just a handful of high-profile examples of reinvention through music, music has no doubt led to countless listeners reinventing themselves in turn, providing proof that music doesn’t just sound good, it does good too.
Myron Winter-Brownhill
Illustration by Rachel Mortimer Page Design by Natasha Phang-Lee
