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 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 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.
Good music doesn’t necessarily need to contain particularly personal songwriting, but there’s gotta 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 moments here, and he occasionally 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 upbeat horns and the kind of big anthemic chorus that Noel has made millions off; 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. When he did indulge more of his prog and psych influences on his previous 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 more personal songwriting, bringing 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. Because that’s what people are really interested in, and they’re only listening to this new stuff out of habit or misplaced loyalty at this point (I certainly am).
Rating:
Best tunes: Dead to the world, Love Is A Rich Man, We’re Gonna Get There In The End
Note – this review was originally published in June 2023 as part of a new music roundup post. It has been re-published separately here for archiving purposes.
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