The Sound of Monday (aka Dave Day and friends) revel in music and wordplay. A fixture in New York indie-pop, Day draws on his childhood love of music, but also his precious collection of comedy LPs. As an end-of-year treat, he has corralled his friends to give us an upbeat “Pure Imagination” cover as the title track of their upcoming record, clearly a celebration of the art of creation.
Created by the team of Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse, “Pure Imagination” is a lovely song, but unsettling. There are discordant sounds in the piece, and Gene Wilder’s delivery is uncertain, almost as if he is trying to keep these less welcome thoughts away from him. You know that Roald Dahl would not have liked the new film version of Wonka, as it is as beautiful, satisfying, intricate, and threatening as a chocolate mousse. Nevertheless, Timothée Chalamet retains some doubt in his rendition of the track, in line with his uncertainty about his place in the world in the movie.
The Sound of Monday have no doubts at all. It is all major key enthusiasm, a celebration of the joy of creativity. Day has a certain, smooth delivery, and the musicians he surrounds himself with are confident and comfortable. The accompanying video, created by the estimable Richard Mather, is a perfect accompaniment. It celebrates art in many forms, from Salvador Dali to the films that Day loves to the band itself. Day is an unthreatening, encouraging psychedelic presence, leaving us to wonder what creations are to come.
