One record at a time: 505. Tim Bowness - Powder Dry

When I first heard a snippet of opening track "Rock Hudson" on social media, I was immediately struck by the bombastic drums and discordant synth textures supporting Tim’s vocal. It was one of those moments where your brain goes yes, I want more of that, and before I knew it I had pre-ordered the limited edition pink vinyl. When the record was released in 2024 it came with a signed postcard, another smaller copy of the same postcard and an art print of the sleeve. Luckily I like the image, otherwise this might have felt like overkill. Oh wait...

Produced by Tim alone, "Powder Dry" immediately feels like he has found a much broader sonic palette than on its predecessor. Everything sounds sharper and more confident. There are no supporting musicians credited and to be honest Tim sounds so much better without a traditional band in a room plodding away behind him. Most tracks are short and nothing outstays its welcome. It is a snappy, tight record that knows exactly what it wants to do.

Steven Wilson, fellow No-Man member and professional sound whisperer, chips in with mixing and editing to make sure everything holds together and carries a sense of credibility. It does make me reflect that we may not actually need more No-Man albums. Tim seems to make them perfectly well on his own, with occasional help from his best mate. 

Second track "Lost / Not Lost" is minimalist in approach and is driven by a melody that worms its way into your head with suspicious efficiency. "Idiots at Large" shows how much imagination Tim brings when left to his own devices. "A Stand Up for the Dying" could easily have turned into yet another earnest band recording, but instead Tim’s solo guitar is cushioned by atmospheric synths, and all the double bass and complicated drumming of previous albums has been quietly shown the exit.

On the flip side, "Summer Turned" sounds exactly as the title suggests. Light, bright and summery. "Films of Our Youth" works as an instrumental companion to "The Film of Your Youth" which feels neatly intentional. "I Was There" has superb drum samples and imaginative programming and is one of the album’s highlights for me. Only the title track disappoints slightly, but something has to come last.

In the end, this album feels like Tim finally shrugged off anything that might have held him back and simply made the record he wanted to make. It is focused, imaginative and far more interesting than yet another polite band effort. If anything, it shows that Tim on his own, armed with some synths, a bit of guitar and a friend in the mixing booth, is more than enough. 3.5/5