Fan Fiction

Geoffrey O’Connor’s second solo album is an escapist oasis, serene but for the occasional heartache, writes FREYA ZAKNICH .

[Historical image is withheld pending rights review.] Fan Fiction is a work just short of pornography. Evolved far beyond needing the visuals of a Vaseline-smeared lens to arouse, the second album by Geoffrey O’Connor seems, at all times, to be teetering on the edge of something indecent.

O’Connor has the same inclination for stories driven by intimate moments as Jarvis Cocker. In that respect, the perfect scripts of Fan Fiction approach the ultimate noir seduction of This is Hardcore by Pulp. O’Connor is a more censored, playful director, however, whose Technicolor-saturated scenes are set to entice, for dancing and romance rather than despairing at the state of modern coupling.

The curtain draws back to unveil a constant object of affection in ‘Never Before Have You Looked So Good’. It’s the girl who wreaks havoc in the beds of weaker men, breaking hearts and devastating fortunes, all the while with a sparkle in her eye. Likewise for the deity with ‘Her Name On Every Tongue’, known by her jewelled hands and inevitable thrall. Her name is, of course, ‘Jacqueline’, to at least one ardent and wistful admirer.

Identity is irrelevant really, as, when carried to its indulgent extreme, this kind of play-acting is infinitely more satisfying when wielded to fulfil your own private fantasies. There’s a daydream of a submissive fellow on his knees and being freed from “12 years of the same clumsy fuck,” which is a much more glamorous telling of idly thinking it’s time to divorce that long-term dud root.

“Sweet fruits to be consumed by a populace of gorgeous idols.”

The female cast (whether one or several) is singly magnificent, perfect and one-dimensional. Though they are not the objects of study so much as O’Connor’s own sexuality, which is preoccupied with wanting and not necessarily getting. ‘Is It Really Happening Now’, therefore, feels the most honest in its breathless, glittery astonishment. It repeats the same question again and again in an incredulous state of bliss.

There are 11 brilliant bursts of ceaseless titillation on show, lit up by caressing swathes of keys, decadent synthesised voices and bouncing moments of luxuriant guitar licks. Jessica Venables’ vocal presence throughout the album is an undisputed pleasure, particularly the climaxing, distorted warble in ‘Please’. O’Connor is softly sung yet seems to ripple with desire as each word drops. Metallic reverb expands every sibilant he utters into a blizzard. In ‘My Greatest Hit’ he hisses, gushes and sighs, blowing hotly onto a pristine, naked neck as he delivers “kiss, after kiss.”

Fan Fiction is an exorbitant fancy grown wild. An escapist oasis, apolitical and serene but for the occasional heartache, which seems but a minor setback overcome in ‘Giving It Away’. It lives and breathes as an independent biosphere of fertile lands, rich with sweet fruits to be consumed by a populace of gorgeous idols. A most gracious empire ruled under the whims of O’Connor.

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‘Fan Fiction’ is out now on CD, digital and gold vinyl through Chapter Music. Launch dates below.

Fri, Sept 26 – Howler, Melbourne, VIC [w/Forces, Sui & Sui + Tam Vantage]
Sat, Sept 27 – Spectrum, Sydney, NSW [w/Ela Stiles + Bad Jeep]