Public Image Ltd. – Hawaii Review

Dropping genuine shock that coffee cannot compete with, the buzz surrounding Public Image Ltd’s sudden release is fresh and exciting. Their hopes of representing Ireland at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest is a sincere, fascinating spanner in the works of what many may describe as a dullard spectacle. No longer. Hawaii is here, to hopefully represent the big shots of Ireland, and right behind it comes a new album from Public Image Ltd for later this year. Madness. That is absolute madness. There is a surge of energy from even the most passive of John Lydon and company fans, because it means new music from a group of musicians who have always struck a chord with the fabrics of culture. 

Hawaii does much the same, a change of pace from the self-titled album. Genuine and lush this new release may be, it is the feel of confident, charming instrumentals that form it so well. Tropical melodies with a tinge of sadness to them. Strength comes from the sobering Lydon lyrics, a constant reminiscence of “all those good times.” It is charmingly Lydon, and the lack of hook or real in-your-face statement makes for an easy listening style not quite associated with the heyday of Public Image Ltd. It is there that Hawaii soars, though, an interesting track because the people behind it are not in the slightest bit related to these moving, slow tones. That makes it all the more exciting, though, because Lydon and company have cracked out a real, solid track that should, without question, represent Ireland.  

“A PiL song like no other…” the band had teased on Twitter. Correct. Hawaii is unlike anything PiL have done before, and these tropical variations are a treat. But at the core of that treat is sincerity from Lydon, a touching love song dedicated to his wife, Nora. That beauty and slowness wrap around one another with great strength. Powerful that is, it feels as though Hawaii intends itself to be that comforting little piece, to rely on time and time again as something formidable, something touching, that comes from a group not quite associated with their touching reflections of pain and laughter. Beautiful stuff. Truly. This piece may be as close as listeners get to Lydon and his feelings.  

To drag a title from their previous album, Hawaii is assuredly what the world needs right now. Classic, out-of-the-blue releases are a rare treat that brings a nice shock to the system. Hawaii does the opposite with its lush and mellow tones. It is a relaxing treat that comes from left of field. That repetition of “remember me” and the “remember you” to follow is brutal but doused in love and honour. Hawaii takes itself into a new form of its own after a few listens, a sincere piece that pulls more than a handful of risks off with great detail and natural quality. See the light at the end of the tunnel though, it leads to a new album later this year. Not long now. Aloha, and welcome back PiL.