ReviewsThe Night Flight Orchestra - Give Us the Moon (Napalm)

The Night Flight Orchestra – Give Us the Moon (Napalm)

It’s been 4 years since we got The Night Flight Orchestra’s last album, Aeromantic II, which in terms of ‘Night Flight’ time, has been a while. But given COVID-19, not to mention the tragic loss of guitarist David Andersson in 2022, these sort of delays are inevitable. Thankfully the band is back, and this time with a new label in tow (Napalm Records), for their latest album. The question is certainly going to be raised to if Give Us the Moon sits at the same level as their previous material, and the answer is a rousing yes.

Give Us the Moon continues to strengthen The Night Flight Orchestra’s place as THE go-to band for the ’70s/’80s retro-inspired sounds. Part of this is due to the fact that they don’t use it as a crutch and don’t stick to the formula to provide an album’s worth of generic retro-revival worship. Night Flight has perpetually changed up the formula to include a wider variety, and that’s no different here. “Stewardess, Empress, Hot Mess (and the Captain of Pain)” sits as the epic-length prog-fest for this outing, and champions that same sort of ‘raise your fist’ energy and space-y synths to triumphant levels that they have done in the past to end things on a high note. “Paloma” acts as a synth-powered ballad with Bjorn Strid’s vocals driving things beautifully in the inspiring chorus. Then there’s the funky grooves of “A Paris Point of View,” which all but infectiously dances from beginning to end, a feeling that propels “Miraculous” but with more rock-ish elements to it.

Ultimately, The Night Flight Orcestra puts energy and fun above all else (sans musicianship of course). “Melbourne, May I?” leads with a bombastic one-two combination of intertwined synths and big arena rock riffing that all but explodes in the chorus. The emotive “Cosmic Tide” is another mover and shaker, with a delightful solo (in both guitar and keys), that is bound to please those seeking inspirational rock energy, capped off with some nice Strid falsettos. “Way to Spend the Night” is a joyous anthem that should cause some to questions whether to hit the dance floor or simply scream the chorus from the top of their lungs. Lastly to be mentioned but certainly not least, “Like the Beating of a Heart” captures that old school rock vibe, from it’s hook-y verses to the potent chorus that ear-worms its way into your head.

It’s hard to pick favorites on Give Us the Moon, and it stands to the album’s credit that the lengthy release never once loses it’s momentum. The Night Flight Orchestra champions a feeling that no other band can provide. Their vision of the ’70s and ’80s is one that is inspired by, instead of directly lifted from, and with it comes a sense of fun and joy in their playing that is consistently felt by whomever is listening. If you haven’t gotten onboard with their sound just yet, now is the perfect time to join the party.

The Night Flight Orchestra on Facebook
The Night Flight Orchestra on Instagram

OUR RATING :
9.5/10

RELATED ARTICLES

RECENT POSTS

CATEGORIES