When Now What?! was released in 2013 we asked ourselves whether this would be Deep Purple’s final album. Here, the Brits, as usual, bring us a generous helping of hard rock with soaring guitars and Hammond organs with a small side of “quiet strength”. With inFinite in 2017, Deep Purple turned toward a more progressive atmosphere without denying their love for good hard rock. Then, like a fresh breeze in a scorching summer, Whoosh! showed its face. Even Deep Purple didn’t see it coming.
With its less grandiloquent production, Whoosh! is more direct and grounded in the moment and shows us a more roots-oriented version of Deep Purple. Don Airey’s keys support an unstoppable rhythm without ever overdoing it, such as on Drop the Weapon which has an almost pub rock sound to it. Steve Morse, as always, displays a reputable soloistic and rhythmic flare (No Need to Shout) while Ian Gillan repeatedly sings of the ups and downs of being a Man Alive.
For a blast from the past, and perhaps a classy last hurrah, the group includes a version of And the Address from their first album. The album closes powerfully and with class with Dancing in My Sleep, a demonstration of of mastery and pure fun. Whoosh! finishes in the same way it came about, without warning, but the lasting mark it leaves on the listener is infinite. Only one question remains: Now what?! © Maxime Archambaud/Qobuz