Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Blue Moon Rising

THE REVIEW

It’s time for the third consecutive EP from Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds.

"Blue Moon Rising" is composed of five tracks: three unreleased, all three anticipated as singles, and two remixes (which, as is often the case, are rather negligible). But the surprise lies in the new tracks, as they completely convince and ensure that this is the best of the three releases by a margin.

In detail, the title track opens the festivities, aligning with what The Chief has been doing lately: distinctly pumped up basslines, a sinuous synthesizer that then culminates in a syncopated and danceable refrain, and finally the guitars that enhance the whole. This time the momentum is right, the track is inspired, and everything fits smoothly.

Things get even better with the second single "Wandering Star," a decidedly Christmas ballad more oriented towards Oasis, with a verse that winks at the old classic "Little By Little" and also borrows a bit from Ocean Colour Scene ("Better Day").

We then arrive at "Come On Outside," and here the mother band is much more than just a source of inspiration, as it is a track that's been circulating in demo version for several years, which Noel wrote for "Dig Out Your Soul," the last studio effort by Oasis; Liam refused to record the vocal part, and nothing more came of it, but the track is an engaging and inspired stomp that deserved to be dusted off and included in an official release. There's a regret for not having heard it interpreted by the younger Gallagher, but that's definitely another story.

A nice twist, this "Blue Moon Rising," but what will happen from now on is unclear. Rumors were swirling about a new full-length from Noel on a major with a more traditional sound, but at the moment there is no trace of such a project. An Oasis reunion seems (for now) a mirage, while the "psychedelic alternative journey" of the elder Gallagher seems a bit stuck on itself.

In any case, a Noel Gallagher this inspired is always welcome.

Best track: Come On Outside