Adrian Borland - Cinematic

Cinematic (1996) is the critically acclaimed third solo studio album by English singer-songwriter Adrian Borland, the former frontman of the influential post-punk band The Sound. Released via Setanta Records, the album is widely regarded by critics and indie-rock devotees as a "lost masterpiece" that seamlessly bridges the gap between raw alternative rock and atmospheric indie pop. Recorded with guest musicians like bassist Phil King from the shoegaze band Lush, the record showcases Borland's signature chiming guitar work and distinctive, commanding vocals. However, unlike the urgent, driving rhythms of his earlier post-punk days, Cinematic favors a more mature, widescreen sonic palette that relies on heavy emotional delivery, rich acoustic textures, and brooding, melancholic soundscapes.

True to its title, the album heavily employs film and theater metaphors to explore profound themes of personal isolation, identity, and existential fatigue. Throughout tracks like "Dreamfuel," "When Can I Be Me," and the sweeping title track, Borland uses imagery of "wild scenes" and the "cutting room floor" to reflect on the feeling of merely watching a script of life unfold. The music mirrors this cinematic concept, blending mysterious, nocturnal atmospheres with world-weary lyrics that carry an intense, slow-burning passion. Though it remained a hidden gem upon its initial mid-90s release, the album's enduring artistic legacy was cemented in 2020 when it received a comprehensive vinyl and CD remaster, introducing a new generation to Borland’s deeply affecting solo work.

Adrian Borland's Cinematic (1996) is a sweeping, emotionally resonant triumph that stands as one of the most unjustly overlooked albums of the 1990s alternative rock landscape. Serving as the third solo outing for the former frontman of post-punk icons The Sound, the record beautifully preserves Borland’s signature gift for intense, haunting drama while recalibrating his sonic direction. Moving away from the dense, driving urgency that defined his '80s band, Borland embraces a richer and significantly sleeker production style. The result is a bold, widescreen soundscape where delicate acoustic textures, sparkling arrangements, and guest musicians—such as Lush bassist Phil King—allow his songwriting to breathe in a completely new way.

The record lives up to its visual title by craftily weaving together a series of moody, nocturnal atmospheres that feel deeply theatrical. Reviewers on platforms like AllMusic have highlighted the record's willingness to experiment, such as its inclusion of surprisingly mellow, hip-hop-influenced rhythms on standout tracks like "I Can't Stop the World". While the expansive 15-track runtime occasionally flirts with production elements that sound slightly dated or out of place—most notably on the synth-heavy "We Are the Night"—these minor missteps are quickly overshadowed by the record's sheer emotional scale. Songs like the debauched, guitar-heavy "Spanish Hotel" and the fragile, gorgeous closer "The March" prove that Borland’s individualistic musical identity remained completely uncompromised.

Lyrically, Cinematic offers a profound and moving exploration of the human condition, utilizing film metaphors to analyze personal isolation, fading identities, and existential fatigue. Throughout the tracklist, Borland acts as a weary observer of his own existence, penning searching lyrics that reference "wild scenes" and being cut out on the "cutting room floor." What keeps the album from spiralling into unearned pessimism is Borland's remarkable vocal delivery. His singing across these tracks is consistently world-weary yet entirely devoid of self-pity, balancing a deep, breathy intimacy with the residual sparks of his classic post-punk fervor.

Ultimately, Cinematic acts as a vital, high-quality bridge between Adrian Borland's historic post-punk legacy and his late-career solo artistry. Devoted listeners writing on Amazon UK frequently argue that the record should be viewed as the spiritual successor to The Sound's final 1987 album, Thunder Up, noting that tracks like "Heading Emotional South" feature brilliant, localized guitar solos that recall his absolute prime. Though the record initially suffered from a lack of major mainstream distribution in 1996, its masterful marriage of heartfelt soul, striking guitar passages, and superlative songcraft ensures that it remains an essential listen for any alternative music purist.

Ripped to MP3

1. Dreamfuel

2. Bright White Light

3. When Can I Be Me

4. Cinematic 

5. Night Cascade

6. Neon and Stone

7. Long Dark Train

8. Antarctica

9. Western Veil

10. We Are the Night

11. Dreamfuel 2

12. I Can't Stop the World

13. Heading Emotional South

14. Spanish Hotel

15. The March