Iggy Pop Talks Last Album ‘Post Pop Depression,’ Says His Energy Is ‘More Limited Now’
James Newell Osterberg, Jr., or Iggy Pop, has announced that his new album Post Pop Depression might be his last. The American singer-songwriter has been in the music industry for almost six decades now. He was known to be the lead singer of the proto-punk band, The Stooges.
When The Stooges reunited in 2003, it was an exciting journey for Iggy Pop. This year, he collaborated with Loma Vista in creating the new album.
In an interview with Beats 1’s Matt Wilkinson, the rock legend was asked what would come next after this album. To which he responded: “I feel like I’m closin’ up after this.”
Iggy Pop is not really saying goodbye. He said he would not close his doors on another album, but it was his “gut instinct” that is telling him this will be his last one.
“To really make a real album, you really have to put everything into it. The energy’s more limited now. I may be surprised.”
His statements were quite surprising, especially since the 68-year-old rock star is known for his outrageous antics on stage. In terms of energy, that was supposed to be his domain.
Still, Iggy Pop can be considered a hard core musician since he is still cutting albums at his age. Now, he sees himself more of like a mentor instead of a performer. This is also the reason why he is getting in touch and collaborating with other musicians nowadays.
“I’m kind of a fan, too, ya know? I like to hang out, I like to be in bands, I like to hang around with musicians.”
Iggy Pop said his decision might still change. Post Pop Depression will be released on March 18. As A.V. Club noted, this new album might be accepted the way his other albums performed—”slow acceptance that gradually builds over a couple of decades.”
Iggy Pop also added that since technology is catching up in the music scene, the distribution might be faster than when it was 25 years ago.
Iggy Pop’s Last Collaboration, ‘Probably’
Iggy Pop, as he said, is also a fan of other musicians. It was during his first rehearsal with Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal’s Josh Homme at a North Hollywood studio that they knew it was something special.
“Now that you’re all greased up, how about ‘Lust for Life?'” Iggy Pop reportedly said.
When he entered, the group’s mood just rose up, according to New York Times. Homme was actually trying to stop Iggy Pop during the rehearsals because everyone seemed so tired, but he kept on. Homme even added that Iggy Pop had his own performance during the rehearsal. He stared sitting down and then later during the end of the day, he was already strutting and banging his head.
“We’re hanging on by the skin of our teeth, but we’re making it through. And by the time we get to ‘Lust for Life,’ we’re all sweating and dancing around with this moronic look on our faces. Iggy looked over at me –,” Homme recalled Iggy Pop giving him a thumbs up. For Homme, Iggy Pop’s compliments are rarely expected so that moment was very special for them.
Both Iggy Pop and Josh Homme wrote and recorded the entire album in secrecy. They were very independent during the creative process so every single detail on the album is theirs. Homme said there are some aspects from “Lust for Life” that were incorporated in the new album.
In their interview with the New York Times, Iggy Pop also mentioned his thoughts about bidding adieu.
“In American life, because it’s so hypercompetitive, what happens when you’re finally useless to everyone except hopefully not yourself? What happens then? And can you continue to be of use to yourself?”
[Image credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP]
