Sometimes you come across an act that totally steals your attention. Project Blackbird are exactly that act. Back with their highly-anticipated sophomore album ‘If This Is The End’, the enchanting 13 track release holds something close for every genre lover. Bringing you up to speed, the outfit are UK based and make addictive indie-rock, post-rock and post-punk style music with a twist of dream-pop thrown in for extra spice.
Kicking the release off with spine-tingling title track ‘If This Is the End’, if heaven is real, I imagine this is what it would sound like. Using spacious guitar motifs and hypnotic vocals to portray the story of feeling lost, the track feels relatable to many people out there, especially after the year we’ve been through. The second track on the release ‘Baby Giant’ enters with an experimental persona and comes across as progressive in places. Sounding like the lovechild of Pink Floyd and Portishead, to begin with, the track ends up spreading its wings and becoming a danceable post-rock anthem. Try labelling ‘Baby Giant’ into a specific genre, hard right? Armed with funk-like guitar riffs and Grace Jones like vocals, this is a strong contender on the release.
‘Murmuration’ transports listeners back to the golden era of the nineties as its production feels nostalgic and organic. Delicate in places but coming across strong, the call and response section from the vocals and guitar is breathtaking and innovative. ‘Laissons Cela Entre Nous’, which means ‘leave it between us’ in English, is a track that feels like a hidden secret that only important people will encounter. Engaging and a vital asset to the album, this is easily one of my favourites on the album. As for the iconic trumpet line at the beginning and ska-like drums - Project Blackbird consistently state they hate being labelled.
Slightly more intricate and intimate, ‘The Handle of the Spade’ feels like an album filler. Doing its job of holding your gaze, the number showcases a completely different side to the outfit. Best known as the rhythm guitarist and vocalist for The Specials, Lynval Golding features on track number 6, ‘Shake These Trees’. Destined to leave you dancing around your room, this sounds like an instant classic. The tapping guitar style on ‘Indecision’ completely steals the show. Oozing with talent and euphoric sensibilities, the immersive track secures Project Blackbird true identity. The shortest track on the album ‘The Archivist’ enters with a jazz-like guitar chord progression armed with a warm tone before encountering a spacious trumpet correspondence. Letting the music mainly do the talking, this instrumental track illustrates Project Blackbird aren’t afraid to go down different avenues within each track.
“I Name My Mind and Throw It Treats, Hoping It Will Become Tractable” is like a track straight off the Killing Eve soundtrack. Bathed in attitude and swagger, this track refuses to be left on the shelf. Crossing boundaries that you may think should never be crossed, track number 9 is multi-cultural and mature. ‘Ava My Love’ is a romanticised number that leads with a prominent piano motif and angelic vocals. Not as prominent as the other tracks on the release, it feels like this number lacks in arrangement here and there. Complex and unapologetic, ‘Speed of Sound’ uses an infectious rhythm that will find its way into your skin. Swaying side by side, track 11 feels like trip-hop and post-punk blended into a tasty cocktail, what more could you want?
The second to last track ‘Letter No 5’ enters with a stunning spoken-word attire before venturing into over 7 minutes of experimental goodness. Weaving through psychedelia, alternative and progressive - ‘Letter No 5’ isn’t for the fainthearted. Album closer ‘ Let Love’ wraps up the release nicely with Project Blackbird’s true vibrance. Mainly based around a dream-pop structure, the track’s arrangement is something that you can get solely lost in. Leaving fans wanting more, it's the perfect album to stick on release as comfort and comes across as a safe haven for listeners to get lost in.
Project Blackbird’s second studio album 'If This Is The End’ is available now to stream & download on the major digital platforms. You can also purchase physical copies via their Bandcamp page.
Watch the video for ‘Laissons Cela Entre Nous’ below.