Jarvis Cocker says, "This Is Hardcore is the sound of someone losing the plot/you're gonna like it, but not a lot." This quote is from the opening track, "The Fear", on This Is Hardcore, the ambitious follow-up to Different Class by Pulp.
Cocker doesn't quite lose the plot on This Is Hardcore, but this ominous, claustrophobic track sets the tone for a different band. Pulp no longer aims for anthems like "Common People" and instead explores a darker, more introspective sound.
The shift in direction shouldn't be surprising, as Pulp has always been an arty band. Even the catchiest numbers on This Is Hardcore are shrouded in darkness, haunted by disappointments and fear. The title track, "This Is Hardcore", showcases drum loops, lounge piano, cinematic strings, and a sharp lyric that create a frightening monument to weary decadence.
It serves as the centerpiece of the album, with the best moments following its tone.
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