Saint Julian  by Julian Cope

In 1987, Julian Cope released his third solo album. Saint Julian represents Julian Cope's most commercial and extroverted moment, marking his transition from cult underground status to post-punk pop acclaim. The album was released in March 1987 by Island Records. Recording took place mainly at Village Classics (Los Angeles) and Amazon Studios (Liverpool), with producer Ed Stasium, known for his work with the Ramones, giving the sound a more "polished" and dynamic texture.

The musical style of the album has moved away from the brittle psychedelia of his previous work, with Saint Julian venturing into the realm of alternative rock and neo-psychedelia, infused with "leather-jacket" rock energy. It is an album full of catchy riffs and anthemic choruses, yet it does not lose Cope's quirky lyricism. The iconic album cover, shot by Anton Corbijn, features a renewed Cope in leather, perched on a massive metal structure, reflecting the confidence of the era.

Saint Julian was his biggest commercial success, reaching No. 11 on the UK charts. The single "World Shut Your Mouth" became a worldwide hit (Top 20 in the UK and US), establishing Cope as one of the most charismatic figures of the British scene of the '80s.