LIAM HAYES — Dancing Backwards LP

Liam Hayes – Dancing Backwards LP arrives on Weird Vacation as catalogue WV03, a 12-inch vinyl that steps into the funk and soul terrain of Hayes’s evolving catalogue. The record follows a career marked by a blend of orchestral pop, stripped-down rock and now a groove-laden exploration of shadowed introspection, as noted in the label’s notes. Weird Vacation’s recent output includes Plush’s MORE YOU BECOMES YOU LP (WV07X, 2024), released earlier this year, positioning Dancing Backwards as a fresh entry in a label that favours richly melodic, song-focused releases. While the label’s roster remains compact, Hayes’s presence adds a seasoned voice to its aesthetic. The album opens with “1: We Need You”, a call-like opener that sets a rhythmic foundation for the side. It moves into “2: 8 Degrees”, maintaining momentum while shifting the tonal palette. “3: C-Thru” follows, offering a subtle change in mood that bridges the first two tracks. The title track “4: Dancing Backwards” arrives as the centerpiece, its groove anchoring the record’s funk-soul direction. “5: What Is A Man” and “6: All In The Shadows” deepen the lyrical focus, each track flowing into the next with a cohesive atmosphere. The brief “7: Interlude” provides a pause before “8: Good Year” lifts the set into a brighter register. “9: Bright Penny” and “10: Alone All Day” continue the narrative arc, balancing reflective verses with danceable rhythms. Closing side A, “11: Furnace Bird”, “12: Final Night” and “13: White Bike” round out the journey, each track echoing the album’s thematic concern with stepping from darkness into a new musical day. Within Hayes’s discography, Dancing Backwards follows a lineage that includes the acclaimed solo piano/vocal album More You Becomes You and the pop/soul opus Fed, both hailed as masterpieces. The current LP, produced by executive producer Terrence Washington and multi-instrumentalist Vincent Carlo, with contributions from arranger TOM TOM 2084, continues the artist’s tradition of meticulous songwriting and melodic craftsmanship. For DJs, the record offers a suite of funk-inflected cuts that can be threaded into deep-house or nu-disco sets, with the title track and “Good Year” providing strong mid-tempo peaks, while the more introspective numbers such as “All In The Shadows” serve as effective mood setters in late-night slots. Collectors will appreciate the seamless flow of the 13 tracks, the cohesive production, and the placement of Hayes’s latest work within a label known for quality releases. The record is presented as a 12-inch vinyl, adhering to the format specifications provided by the label. Liam Hayes – Dancing Backwards LP, Weird Vacation, catalogue WV03, 12-inch vinyl, 13 tracks. Tracklist: A1. Liam Hayes – 1: We Need You A2. Liam Hayes – 2: 8 Degrees A3. Liam Hayes – 3: C-Thru A4. Liam Hayes – 4: Dancing Backwards A5. Liam Hayes – 5: What Is A Man A6. Liam Hayes – 6: All In The Shadows A7. Liam Hayes – 7: Interlude A8. Liam Hayes – 8: Good Year A9. Liam Hayes – 9: Bright Penny A10. Liam Hayes – 10: Alone All Day A11. Liam Hayes – 11: Furnace Bird A12. Liam Hayes – 12: Final Night A13. Liam Hayes – 13: White Bike