Andy Bell
Flicker

For Andy Bell, it's time to follow up "The View From Halfway Down," a beautiful solo debut from a couple of years ago.

He does so with this "Flicker," composed of a whopping eighteen tracks which, according to the author, were written over the last two decades, thus spanning a broad timeframe that encompasses all the experiences of this highly underrated author (Ride, Oasis, Beady Eye, and the side electronic project Glok).

Bell's intent is to create a sort of "musical bridge" between his younger self and who he is now, reworking pieces that were in some cases created in embryonic form even two decades ago. The result is surprising, and it even improves upon the good work done with the previous album.

Indeed, Bell decisively expands his sonic spectrum (already rich and satisfying), venturing into curious and unexplored territories; on one hand, there's a recuperation and consolidation of all the good work done so far (the shoegaze strokes of "The Sky Without You," "The Looking Glass," and the phenomenal "It Gets Easier"), while on the other hand, we encounter beautiful and interesting novelties, like the dive into crystalline pop with "We All Fall Down," the airy psychedelia of "Riverside," and the classic britpop of "World Of Echo," "Way Of The World," and "She Calls The Tune" (the latter two initially conceived as pieces for Oasis but never used by the band).

Particular mention goes to the extraordinary single "Something Like Love," almost a "Vapour Trail" part two, with an absolutely perfect melody set against an instrumental part of absolute quality.

Far too underrated until now, it's time to place Andy Bell among the best songwriters of his generation, especially after two albums so beautiful and well crafted.

Best track: Something Like Love