Summer Deluxe is the new album from Hampshire, UK based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and reclusive genius Mike Gale (out this Friday, 24 May and available to pre-order here). In his previous musical incarnations, Mike found widespread acclaim for his previous band Co-Pilgrim, and before them Black Nielsen. Summer Deluxe sees Gale return with his fifth solo album in five years, the follow up to 2017’s critically acclaimed Beachhead Galaxy.
Having taken a sabbatical from Co-Pilgrim, Mike has continued to further focus on his solo work and produced a collection of sun-kissed pop songs with slightly off-kilter melodies and wonky lo-fi soundscapes in the shape of Summer Deluxe. Adding in samples of strings, pianos and organs to drum machines, guitars and harmonies to produce a hazy summery feel that begins in the Spring and flows through to Autumn. The record, whilst unique in its overall composition and production, would suit the record collections of fans of Guided By Voices, Sparklehorse and The Go Betweens
When asked about working alone and the process of home recording, Mike says “I really enjoy recording by myself, getting the time and space to mess around with my ideas and make mistakes that you sometimes don’t get when recording with other people. I record on a Tascam DP-32. I don’t like using computers to record, I prefer the hands-on approach of having a mixing desk with knobs etc.” Summer Deluxe certainly has a relaxed, accomplished air about it. Clearly, the work of someone with twenty plus years of experience in writing and recording, and at the height of his creative powers. On the thematic concept of making a summer record, Mike says “I’m a huge Beach Boys fan so I kinda always wanted to make some sort of Summer themed album. The very loose narrative running through the album is Spring through to Autumn, with the 3 instrumentals representing Spring, mid-Summer and Autumn”.
https://soundcloud.com/pindrop-publicity/sets/mike-gale_summer-deluxe/s-OeyuA
Summer Deluxe was written, performed, produced and mixed by Mike Gale, and refined for release by the mastering wizardry of the one and only Tony Poole.
Having received support from many luminaries across the music biz, including Lauren Laverne, who featured previous Mike Gale solo tracks as her Headphone Moments, and a plethora of rave reviews across the board, Mike continues to endure as one of the UK’s most original, and now most hermetic musical talents.
Pre-Order via Bandcamp here: mikegale.bandcamp.com