From the very first seconds of “The Beyond and the Better Way” you can tell this album isn’t your typical listen. The Gorgeous Pouting Mr AR, the creative name behind Ronan Breslin, delivers a bold and surprising ride through ten tracks packed with life, color, and emotion. It’s quirky, it’s serious, it’s fun and it’s heartfelt, all at the same time.
The opener, “Muffin Man” is full of character with clever vocals and rich layers of sound. It’s such an addictive track that you might replay it more than once before moving on. Then comes “A Grand Day” which completely switches the vibe. Gentle bird sounds and smooth vocals set a peaceful mood, showing just how versatile this album really is.
“Take a Bow” brings back the energy with sharp instrumentation and a few unexpected twists that keep you hooked. Every track feels like it has its own world, none of them sound the same, but together they work perfectly. “Hands in the Air” really stands out with its catchy female vocals and polished sound. It’s one of those songs you find yourself humming all day.
“Shine On Old Boys” is another strong moment, with a distinct mood and memorable instrumentation. The album ends with “What Lies Beneath, aka FRATRES,” a haunting instrumental that feels like the perfect closing chapter. Once it’s over, you feel the urge to start again from track one.
We really enjoyed this album, it’s creative, bold, and full of surprises. The production is creative and Ronan’s storytelling through music is something special. This was more than just music, it was an experience and we’ll definitely be coming back to it.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
The Gorgeous Pouting Mr AR is a pseudonym for Ronan Breslin – a Glasgow-based producer, composer, musician and academic.
Ronan grew up in Dublin before moving to the sedate town of Mullingar in the Irish Midlands. Ronan made the most of living in Mullingar, with his adolescent experiences being the basis of this debut solo single. At 17, Ronan decamped to Glasgow to take up a place at Glasgow University, pretending to be a diligent student while immersed in the far more fun music scene surrounding him. The fragrantly named Colostomy Bags was his first band – a group that had a short life after being banned from most venues that didn’t appreciate pig’s heads hurtling through the air and landing in the laps of avowed vegetarians (though Ronan denies any involvement with this act).
Surprisingly, given these less than salubrious origins Ronan became a theatre composer, with perhaps his most acclaimed work being a score for a production of “Metropolis – The Theatre Cut” (1993) at Glasgow’s The Arches. More theatre commissions followed but rock (and indeed roll) called stridently, and Ronan joined hotly tipped Hardbody as keyboardist and trombonist just as major labels were courting them and were then subsequently signed by Sony Music Entertainment. After the label dropped the band, Ronan re-entered the real world as a science teacher. But as always, music’s clarion call drew him back to more hopeless endeavours. Stints with V–Twin, Ducks, Horse and the occasional trombone session with Belle and Sebastian reignited the passion and subsequently Ronan formed La Chunky – the band! The band eventually morphed into a recording studio which happily survives and even thrives to this day.
So now … Ronan is co-director of La Chunky Studio in Finnieston – where he continues to work with a variety of musicians, podcasters, sound artists and filmmakers. This is where he makes music too.
Ronan also plays keys with The Tenementals, whose eagerly awaited debut album is out now on Strength in Numbers Records label.
As an aside – in the noughties – Ronan co-composed many radio jingles and TV themes, which can still be heard on hip young TV channels such as UK Gold and Dave.
As a day job, Ronan runs a Masters in Sound for the Moving Image at Glasgow School of Art.
