Zoot Woman - Maxidrama (2024)

2024 is the year of 'Maxidrama'. In 2001 Zoot Woman released their critically acclaimed debut ‘Living in A Magazine’.
Since then they have developed and reinvented their material, remaining unique through shifting trends in the music scene. Releasing seven albums, gaining fans the world over, and proving themselves to be a diverse act both in the studio and on stage, Zoot Woman have also lent their touch to tracks by Jessie Ware, Justice, Madonna, Mimi Webb and more. Collaborations with dance music titan Solomun, and acts including Âme, Einmusik, Iron Curtis and Moscoman have been a welcome addition, broadening Zoot Woman’s audience. Following extensive touring and the releases of ‘Absence’ and ‘Redesigned,’ Zoot Woman returned to the studio and later began a roll-out of tracks that would eventually lead up to their seventh studio album ‘Maxidrama’. Undoubtedly their most inventive work to date, ‘Maxidrama’ cements their status as one of the few acts that can successfully achieve a savvy combination of slick, soulful melodies, danceability and glossy synth textures. A plethora of synthesizers and drum machines blended with Johnny Blake’s distinctive vocals is in full effect, complemented by a variety of other instruments. Blake says “Our approach to the writing was more primal than ever. The songwriting comes from every emotion and the drama that surrounds it. We came up with the title ‘Maxidrama’ because it represents the extremes and limits that we deal with in our lives and relationships.” An outstanding album, ‘Maxidrama’ kicks off with the pure energy and motivational inspiration of ‘Control Of The Wheel’ followed by the upbeat immediacy of recent single ‘Another Time Like Now’. Next up is introspective banger ‘Live And Learn’ and the in your face ‘Blind’.
After the ethereal ‘Phenomenal’ and the laidback vibe of ‘Never Felt This Way’, the second half of the album changes mood and digs deeper into the more melancholic side of Zoot Woman’s songwriting with the self reflective ‘Where Is The Man’, the piercingly dark ‘A Habit I Can’t Break’ and ‘Regret’, a penultimate note of sadness. The album concludes with the tranquil closing number ‘Birds’. A collection of emotionally resonant songs produced in an electronic pop style, ‘Maxidrama’ remains true to Zoot Woman’s contemporary signature sound. Check out ‘Maxidrama’ and the band’s entire catalogue.