Jack Wakeman & the Dreamstriders new single out now

“Cosmic Fear” is only the second single from experimental dream-pop band Jack Wakeman & The Dreamstriders. With music coursing through his family bloodstream (his grandad was once in a band with Mick Ronson), Wakeman has always known his true calling in life. Forging a successful career of his own in the Northwest of England as a bassist for some of the region’s finest acts, Wakeman notably cut his teeth over an 8 year stint playing sessions with the likes of The Fall, New Order, BC Camplight, Ethan & The Reformation, Granfalloon and Gabriel’s Wish.

Breaking away from his base in Manchester in search of a new sound and solo direction, his relocation to Glasgow soon led him to a band of like-minded souls: The Dreamstriders. Officially forming at the start of 2021, the band comprise Callum Edwards (Drums), Callum Shanks (Electric Guitar), Charlotte Newman (Acoustic Guitar/ Backing Vocals) and Elizabeth Read (Keyboards/ Backing vocals) and of course Wakeman at the forefront.

Recorded at Whitewood Studios, Liverpool by Danny Woodward (BC Camplight), “Cosmic Fear” was mastered by the legendary Pete Maher (U2).

This is a single that defies classification into any one genre, and I love it ! It has at times an early 70’s feel to it, a sense of disco, 80’s synth pop chords and at times a hint of Prefab Sprout with it’s structure and orchestration. It has a cheeky humorous side to it too, and the opening lyrics are some of the best I’ve heard in a very long time with the line “I’ve done it again, and made too much rice again. I thought I had followed every step, but I’ve done it again”. The analogy is fun but links so well to the theme of the song as it goes on “I’ve done it again, and made too much time again. For all of the things, we all are wasting away, the precious time we have”.

The song reflects on life from a very personal viewpoint. Based on his own experiences and the fear of space he developed during a mental breakdown, unable to even open the curtains. Wakeman describes the track as “a song of apocalyptic optimism” as it reflects on the meaninglessness of a life trapped indoors and the surrealist visions of daydream escape. The lyrics are of a singer facing their demons and crippling paranoia and coming to terms with it all and of escape.

The bassline provides the backbone for this one, and the supporting vocals from Charlotte Newman really add to the experience. The track builds and the vocal combination take centre stage as Charlotte takes on the part of crippling paranoia as she sings “Don’t look behind the curtains, unless you want to see too much” followed by Wakeman’s realisation of reality with “Wait a minute, heaven is so near. Now I’ve broken through my cosmic fear”.

“Cosmic Fear'' is a great track, and it captures so well the intense sense of paranoia, but also a bright future, of escape. And then we have the ending as the vocals come to an abrupt end and the track ends with a wonderful Apocalyptica style string rich slow relaxing end, with oboe-like melody wafting softly over the top as it drifts out into silence...

This is a fantastic track and I loved it, and I look forward to seeing more from Jack Wakeman & the Dreamstriders in the future. “Cosmic Fear” is a track quite unlike anything else you’ll hear this year I can promise you that, and I like that uniqueness. An absolute cracker and worth a fantastic 9.5 from LiveWire Music.