WHO ARE THEY? Singer-guitarist Noel Gallagher — one of two people in the world who still doesn’t want Oasis to reunite already — and his latest backing band (minus the touring scissor player he apparently hired for the sole purpose of trolling estranged and easily enraged brother Liam).
WHAT IS THIS? A five-track EP — supposedly one of three he’s slated to release this year — featuring three different mixes of the title track and two other new numbers.
WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE? Spaced-out. In more ways than one. Pulling a hard 180° from the classic Britrock of his past, Gallagher heads into the cosmos with the psychedelic cosmic-disco title cut, which mixes glistening keyboards with a funky four-on-the-floor backbeat and star-dusted vocals. Second track Rattling Rose brings the proceedings back down to earth with moody, jazz-tinged pop, while Sail On is a shimmery, sea-themed post-folk ballad.
WHAT WOULD BE A BETTER TITLE FOR THIS ALBUM? More Songs Designed to Drive Liam Fookin’ Bonkers.
HOW SHOULD I LISTEN TO IT? With some of his previously released and likeminded cuts like Shoot A Hole Into the Sun and the Chemical Brothers collaboration Let Forever Be.
WHAT 10 WORDS DESCRIBE IT? Spacey, trippy, adventurous, freewheeling, cool, poised, expansive, infectious, flowing, inspired.
WHAT ARE THE BEST SONGS? The Duran Duran-like title cut is definitely the strongest of the bunch — and if you’re in the mood, the 10-minute extended dance mix is a trip — but the others are certainly tolerable. One or two more tracks wouldn’t have hurt, though.
WHAT WILL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY SAY? ‘Well, at least he stopped rewriting old Beatles songs.’
HOW OFTEN WILL I LISTEN TO THIS? Occasionally, at least until the next EP drops.
IF THIS ALBUM WERE MAKEUP, WHAT KIND OF MAKEUP WOULD IT BE? Body glitter.
SHOULD I BUY, STREAM OR STEAL? Don’t buy it yet — I suspect he’ll combine the EPs (and a few extra cuts) into an album down the road. He may be trolling Liam, but Noel’s no fool.
