Peter Perrett: The Cleansing (2025)
Best known – perhaps even only known – for the great post-punk single Another Girl Another Planet with his band The Only Ones, Perrett is now in his early 70s and had a career-killing addiction for decades which he addresses on this surprisingly good album where he mostly dials down the backdrop so his ragged but expressive voice can be central. A bit Lou Reed aloof, a bit John Cale dry, The Cleansing has some admiring guests (Johnny Marr, Bobby Gillespie) and Perrett doesn’t hide his shortcomings, mistakes and poetic imagery. An engrossing double album.
Next: The Only Ones, The Only Ones; John Cale, Mercy
