-=- SHGZ -=-
* Shoegaze * Indie * Post-Rock * Grunge * Dream Pop * Psych-Rock * Ethereal *
ARTIST..: Night Flowers
ALBUM...: Fortune Teller
GENRE...: Indie
STYLE...: Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Dream Pop
YEAR....: 2019
LABEL...: Dirty Bingo
COUNTRY.: UK
PLACE...: London
ENCODER.: FLAC 1.3.1 -8 -V
BITRATE.: 871 kbps avg
QUALITY.: 44.1kHz / 2 channels
SOURCE..: CD
TRACKS..: 8
SIZE....: 172.02 MB
URL..: http://www.facebook.com/wearenightflowers
- TRACKLIST
1 Night Train 4:38
2 Lotta Love 4:20
3 Merry-Go-Round 2:25
4 Perfect Storm 1:40
5 Fortune Teller 3:22
6 Carry On 3:19
7 I've Loved You (Such A Long Time) 4:00
8 No Coming Down 3:07
Total Playtime: 26:51
Fortune Teller is the second album by indie pop band Night Flowers, following
their debut Wild Notion, which came out in spring 2018. The fans that fell in
love with the band's dreamy, romantic style, and the lilting vocals of Boston
born vocalist, Sophia Pettit, will not be let down by the new album. Fortune
Teller contains all the elements that made the band's first album so
successful, while introducing new influences, from artists such as Fleetwood
Mac, that enrich this latest collection of songs. Many of the songs have a
slightly more rocky feel that is reminiscent of the 80s, particularly
noticeable in tracks such as Merry Go Round and I've Loved You (Such a Long
Time), which have the echoing riffs and synth pop style of that era.
Night Train is a well chosen opening track, with a slow build up full of
locomotive-esque drums and soaring guitar. An entirely new element is
introduced with the addition of vocals from Greg Ullyart, the band's
guitarist, in a harmony that allows the singers to complement each other
perfectly. The song is, along with Merry Go Round and Fortune Teller, one
that stands out for its infectious, uplifting melody. They may not be songs
that you would listen to before going out, but they would be perfect for a
lazy summer day.
On the other end of the spectrum there are tracks like Perfect Storm and Not
Coming Down, which are slower and more melancholy. These are songs for rainy
days and night time driving (if you don't find them too soporific). Perfect
Storm, the last song to be added to the album, was recorded on an iPhone in a
Hackney kitchen, giving it an endearing lo-fi quality.
Perhaps the one criticism for the album is that it is not one that takes many
risks. It is easy listening; there is nothing experimental about it. But
there's no mistaking the band's hazy signature sound, made even better with
its distinctive nod to 80s rock. And the sweet, delicate vocals of Pettit,
which come through raw and emotionally charged, ensure that the band never
lose their authenticity.
*
Following on from the critical acclaim of their debut release Wild Notion,
the transatlantic five piece have returned with another pop-tastic album that
does well to overcome the nerves of any second album syndrome.
For this album drummer Zebedee Budworth mixed originally at Tie Dye Studios
(Sheffield) with Adam Jaffrey taking final production reins on the album
which again finds Sophia Pettit leading the band on vocal duties with support
from lead guitarist, Greg Ullyart.
While the first album had a real mix of electro dream pop with little nuggets
of pop goodness filled with nostalgia and appreciation for musical heritage
such as 'Hey Love' and 'Sandcastles', this album is definitely an alternative
feel in that it takes more of a rockier road on the journey to pop
magnificence.
From album opener, 'Night Train' the sense of respect to the school of rock
is apparent and with a female vocalist the similarity to Fleetwood Mac will
not be mistaken, yet throughout the album there are nods to many an American
sound of years past be it Tom Petty or the boss himself, Bruce Springsteen.
Album track, 'Fortune Teller' tells a tale of travelling with the seven sins
on your shoulder and this mix of lyrical mysticism and a rock soundtrack
would not look out of place from even a Dave Grohl back catalogue.
The impassioned reverence to these rock gods are worn proudly on their sleeve
as seen by 'Lotta Love' a remembered hook from a bygone era, with synths
leaving you dreaming of a highway. This is further encapsulated by
'Merry-Go-Round' inspired by Jane Weidlin, which has a real 80s synth hook.
This is the beauty of the band, they are a happy band to listen to singing
about the joy of life rather than the depressing social climate we find
ourselves in - not a mention of Brexit, race relations or snowflakes to be
seen here.
Fortune Teller is an album to be embraced and to be loved, an album about new
beginnings and celebrating the wonder of life. You need not look further than
penultimate track 'I've Loved You (Such a Long Time)' a track that is the big
power ballad with big drums and in dire need of an air guitar and hair brush
video; a song albeit about a relationship breaking down, nevertheless a
relationship where not a minute was wasted.
Yet for the downbeat lyrical nature of many of the songs, there is one
message being sung and the overpowering emotion that resonates throughout
both albums by this band is one of hope.
Wild Notion was one of my albums of 2018, and after a few listens I do not
think there will be many albums to challenge Fortune Teller for a position in
my final rankings of 2019. Does it push envelopes, perhaps not, but it is a
reminder that you can still make happy music nowadays.
*
About:
Night Flowers are five friends based in East London, but all originally from
Humberside.
Their first tracks æSingle BedsÆ and æNorthÆ were released as a free download
in summer 2013. They play melodic indie rock/pop music influenced partly by
80s jangle and early 90s shoegaze. In early 2015 Hetty Ullyart left the band
and was succeeded by Sophia Pettit.
-=- SHGZ -=-
P.S.
** Thanks ***
*** BCC FNT IPC SSR ***
*** For Knowing Where The Music Is At ***
*** Props to CaHeSo, awesome Asian Indie/Shoegaze ***
*** And to FANG/HOUND for supporting all the Indie lovers out there ***
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* NuHS we miss you! *
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