This Week’s Best New Music: June 2023 Week 1

I’ve realised a key flaw in labelling these “This week’s best new music” is that it presents a bit of a contradiction when I end up doing a negative review. But, to be fair, the album I’ve reviewed below isn’t irredeemably bad, so there’s a couple of tunes worth giving a listen. And there’s some of the week’s best new releases highlighted in the tunes of the week below.

Album Review

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Council Skies

I usually try to ensure I’ve spent enough time with an album before writing a review. I’ve given this about 5 listens through since it came out on Friday and that’s enough; I’m pretty sure there’s no more depth to be unearthed here. This very much feels like music made for the sake of an obligatory album/tour cycle.

For someone who is so often opinionated and interesting in interviews, it’s strange that none of that translates into Noel’s music. Noel hasn’t really had anything to say lyrically since about 1995, but it stands out increasingly as the years go by. There’s interesting stuff he could write about; he’s recently divorced, and there’s the ongoing feud/estrangement from his brother that’ll trend on social media at the drop of any semi-relevant quote. But you never get the sense that he’s letting anything personal come through in his writing. It’s all generic metaphors and platitudes; falling stars, searching the seven seas for love, etc.

I don’t think good music necessarily needs to contain particularly personal songwriting, but there should be something interesting about it. Unfortunately, after toying with some vaguely experimental sounds on his last album, he’s defaulted back to dreary stadium “rock”. “Rock” in inverted commas because none of this actually rocks.

This isn’t all bad though, there’s a few decent songs on here, and he sometimes proves he still knows his way around a good tune. One of the problems is we’ve heard the tunes too many times already. And even some of the highlights come with caveats, like the closer, We’re Gonna Get There In The End. With nice upbeat horns and a big anthemic chorus; it does sound good. But it’s let down by dull lyrics which feel like a series of motivational cliches.

Despite the negativity, this is a lament as much as anything. Because, despite years of evidence to the contrary, I always get the sense that Noel is capable of something better. Like when he did try something slightly different on his last album, it was his best work in years. Or here on standout track, Dead To The World, where he at least hints at opening up with some more personal songwriting and brings to mind some of his excellent early Oasis b-sides. But, mostly he seems to opt for comfort. This is the kind of thing he could knock out for eternity, getting 3/5 stars from the old classic rock print mags and guaranteed media coverage, which would of course be more concerned with Liam and the glory days.

While I preferred Noel’s reply, Matty Healy certainly had a point; people would much rather see Oasis than Liam or Noel solo. And the same goes for the actual music. It feels like people are only listening to this out of habit or loyalty at this point (I certainly am). You could just listen to an old Oasis record.

Best tunes: Dead to the world, Love Is A Rich Man, We’re Gonna Get There In The End

Tunes of the Week

Seb Lowe – Ode to Brittania

From a songwriter who seemingly has nothing left to say, to one who’s bursting with ideas. Young Manchester-based songwriter, Seb Lowe, has been experimenting with different sounds on his recent series of singles, from a ridiculously catchy quaint medieval romp on Cavalryman to experiments into dream pop on London Song.

But his latest release sees him return to the style of his earliest releases, with a politically-focused folky stomper. This sounds like it was designed for his own personal protest march. He’s got a cracking singing voice, but he alternates between that and a spitfire half-rapped delivery, sounding somewhere between angry and disgusted. Full of excellent lines; “When privilege determines potential, who are you, most politicians went to the same three schools”, tied together with a killer chorus, and a bittersweet irony underneath it all as he acknowledges the futility of complaining, “Words mean nothing”.

Terrianne – Second Class Citizen

This tune from Derby’s Terrianne brought to mind Kate Nash, with the heavily accented half-spoken word verses. But she’s got a belting voice as well, bringing the power for the chorus as she reflects the experiences of many women in the music industry. What really elevates it though is the last minute of quotes from those who have been underrepresented/under-appreciated for their race, disability, etc. It feels like a moment of giving voices to the voiceless, which really drives home the personal stories behind the song’s message.

LYR – The Song Thrush and the Mountain Ash

LYR is made-up of acclaimed poet, Simon Armitage, and musicians, Richard Walters and Patrick J Pearson. This is a somber, folky track looking back at pandemic experiences. I’m not really a poetry person, but Armitage’s spoken delivery here really works in mirroring some of the stark realities of that time. Even as someone who didn’t personally have a particular bad experience with covid, this is quite affecting.

I think this probably works better coming removed from the height of the pandemic, as it’s easy to forget just how foreign certain moments felt compared to our usual expectations of human interaction. And with the current political noise amidst the inquiry, it’s handy to remind yourself of the human impacts and stories from that time.

You can check out previous weeks’ best new music roundups at the Best New Music Weekly archive. And you can keep up with the latest updates by following No Frills Reviews on your chosen social media platform.

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