Formed by singer, songwriter, guitarist, keyboard player, Danny Sorrell, The Paradox Twin‘s debut album The Importance of Mr Bedlam, was recorded in Outhouse Studio, run by producer and talented musician John Mitchell. Impressed with what he heard he presented the music to his White Star Records label partner, Chris Hillman, and they agreed to sign them to the label and release the album.
With John providing a guitar solo on the track Moonblood and vocalist Kim Seviour also providing a guest vocal on the same track the album was well received, with the first single Planeta gaining a nomination at the prestigious Progressive Music Awards even before the album had been released. The band also went on to be nominated the following year in the best new artist’s category gaining very favourable reviews.
The much anticipated follow up album Silence from Signals, which, like their debut, received outstanding reviews, was a more than worthy release and both albums are highly recommendable.
This leaves new album A Romance Of Many Dimensions quite the task to equal or surpass what’s gone before. The distinctive red album cover immediately grabs the attention and intrigued I allow the music of this concept album to flood through my speakers.
First track Linter drifts gently to the fore slowly elevated with the beautifully atmospheric but sparse vocals from Sarah Bayley, stabilising the sound. It gives no indication of the complexity issues and security vulnerabilities to come in this brief, confident start that drifts directly into the second track of the album.
Piano hovers over the burbling synths as the Operator in charge, Danny Sorrell, (sharing vocals with Sarah) imagines himself as a lonely protagonist struggling with disconnection from the real world, finding solace as a robot inside a non-reality system on screen along with a silent corvid companion within this existence, as the drums and guitar begin to cut a heavier course through the game.
Creating a retreat within the system, giving him a false sense of purpose, he seeks comfort in a world where he feels alive with an illusionary reason to exist. Disappearing in on himself and taking him further from the reality around him a decision must at some juncture be made to return to real life and face his fears. Sarah once again shares vocals with Danny, guiding us as the character of our story must try to reset himself to Null The System, as when he rouses he is left with a feeling of nothingness.
The weed he smokes to dull reality evokes a journey through themes of escapism, the dependency hindering clarity of thought, causing him to question what is My Main Function in life. No prizes for guessing the influence on this pulsating track as a homage to all that is Steve Wilson and Porcupine Tree, creating a wondrous noise between the rocking music and haunted vocals as it races to arrive somewhere in the computer but not here in the material world.
His addiction to the technological reliance that the UI provides on this despairing track as a point of contact encompasses all elements our user interacts with, including screens, sounds, icons, buttons and responsiveness, serving as the medium through which he controls his devices and software, backed by chugging guitar riffs. It makes him feel powerful, a feeling he denies himself in reality, a construction of his vacillation assisted by his drug fuelled insecurities. As the protagonist looks down from his imaginary sky at the world, with a longing to feel his feet planted firmly on the soil, he is overcome and senses himself falling away, control slipping from his grasp.
The evening grows late, eerie cold sweats emerge and an If Else statement requiring a decision on how the protagonist moves forward is necessary, depending on whether he feels his current view on real life is true or false. This may determine whether he adjusts his mindset, as when logged off he is left with emptiness and despair. He tries to maintain control but his mind mists over and he feels he is crumbling under the influence. Can he escape this nightmare as the music pulse throbs, intensifying and echoing in his head.
Can Danny’s character reject the delusional comfort of the drugs and the bolt hole within his computer, to create a real life and rescue his fading relationship on this bed of acoustic guitar and wistful accompanying instruments. Can he face being human, reclaim his normal existence and fight for his love, urged on by the poignant appeals from Sarah as he emerges into the light. Surely this is not meant to be his Inheritance, locked away with his technical dependency?
Twinkling like a falling star, the heavier intention of the music then bursts into the penultimate track with the guitar rumbling as the compulsive percussion drives the urgency of the Pixel Shader, dictating the colour, brightness, contrast and other characteristics in our protagonist’s existence. What light sources illuminate his human life? Sarah’s entreaties bring hues to draw him back to the real world, with the transparency of her love negotiating any bumps within this course, reflected in the exit of shimmering keys.
As we draw near the end of the story our anti-hero must turn his Nested Scratch creativity and abilities to his real life. Now released from the shadow of his former self, the calmer acoustics of the music are peppered with uncertainties and doubts in the protagonist’s mind and he will lean on his love in these times, resisting isolation and build a lasting relationship away from the escapism and technological dependency on which he once relied. It blurred the lines between reality and the digital realms. As he searches for love and meaning Danny duets with Sarah for one last time on this album. Rising through the throbbing bass the scorching sheen of legendary guitarist and producer John Mitchell’s guest solo, carries this one out.
It’s another excellent album from the mind of Danny Sorrell, carrying his heart on his sleeve and his talents on record. I’ll leave you with his thoughts on this significant release:
“We are extremely excited to finally announce our new album ‘A Romance Of Many Dimensions’. Many months of work has finally paid off. It’s been worth the wait. There were a few bumps in the road here and there; I have had a very tough few years with mental health, and with the death of my sister, but I always try to channel it into my songwriting. I want to thank my wife, kids, and family in general for supporting me. I want to tip my hat to Chris Hillman for being amazingly strong over the past year. Thanks to John Mitchell for once again guiding songs and my craft in the right direction, and finally to you reading this who I wouldn’t be able to do this without.”
TRACK LISTING
01. Linter (2:24)
02. Operator (5:28)
03. Null The System (6:05)
04. My Main Function (11:01)
05. UI (7:55)
06. If Else (5:16)
07. Inheritance (4:41)
08. Pixel Shader (5:52)
09. Nested Scratch (7:27)
Total Time – 56:11
MUSICIANS
Danny Sorrell – Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Piano, Synthesizer
Graham Brown – Drums, Percussion
Sarah Bayley – Vocals
John Mitchell – Bass Guitar, Guitar Solo (9)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: White Star Records
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: Digital: 10th April 2026 | CD: 1st May 2026
LINKS
The Paradox Twin – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | X | Instagram
