Paul Heaton – Favourite Kind of Idiot Review

Self-depreciation is a skill. Not only is it carefully delivered by Paul Heaton, but his style of songwriting and generally good-natured image mean he is tethered to the real world. From affordable tickets for headline shows to having his roots in the city that made him, Heaton is likeable for his music and beyond it, too. A rare blur, and he puts it to good use on Favourite Kind of Idiot, the lead single of his upcoming album, Jenius. He’s poking some fun at himself, but within that, that drop of the defences that many artists are scared to remove from themselves, is a chance to hit out at those who do figure themselves as cultural cornerstones. Street smarts take an artist further than chart-topping pieces of work do. Longevity is the aim of the game, and Heaton has impressed that on his music, be it with The Housemartins, with Jacqui Abbot, or the new crop of up-and-coming musicians he has enlisted at his solo shows.  

Producer and The Lightning Seeds frontman Ian Broudie has his hands all over this one. That’s a good thing for Heaton though as he explores a few new genre strokes. A slight, spaced-out tone and a Rianne Downey collaboration offers the familiar, enjoyable tones of his previous album, The Mighty Several, and an upbeat electric guitar sound that works for Heaton. Favourite Kind of Idiot is a double-edged sword when its meaning is shared. Those who’ve lived in Hull or other parts of the north of England will know there’s an overhanging endearment to what feels like an insult. The favourite idiot is a pleasant oxymoron when spoken by the right person, and Heaton is the right person for that. Downey, too, hot off the back of an excellent solo album debut, returns to help with the chorus. Memorable, sharp work from Heaton and Downey should be no surprise after their previous works together, but it’s always nice to hear.  

A sub-three-minute song that proves to be charming, contemporary, and a kick against those who find themselves without that idiot in their lives. It’s playful, light, and sweet. That’s what Heaton has often provided and while he does that well here, he manages to shift a message of community through Favourite Kind of Idiot. You’re never alone when your favourite idiot is around and the sweetness that comes from such a tag is guided well by Heaton here. Instrumentally sweet and a little overpowering at times, but it has that playfulness necessary to Heaton’s most recent recordings. It suits him well as he finds the overlap with Broudie to be a success once again. The pair joined together for The Mighty Several and it sounds as though they’re both still suited to one another.  

That’s a pairing that’ll never be worn out. Favourite Kind of Idiot is a light and breezy piece of work to get you through the latter stages of a brutal heatwave. So much of the happenstance around us is what affects an album or song. It’s just the facts of life. Heaton has written up an appropriate and appealing piece of work here that doesn’t outstay its welcome, nor does it swagger around with deeper meanings than those present in its title. Affection and alienation sway from side to side on Favourite Kind of Idiot, and by the sounds of it and what we know of Jenius so far, it’ll be the core of another no doubt enjoyable album from the Heaton, Downey, and Broudie pairing. A nice start to Jenius, a chance to hear how the trio can write, record, and produce a catchy riff that’ll have people returning to it often.