There’s a strong dualism in ‘Flamingo Road’. On one hand, you’ve got a stream of nostalgic power-pop and rock’n’roll goodness, all delivered by Blake’s inspired artistry and playful vocals. On the other hand, the overall songwriting is surprisingly relevant and contemporary, with the English troubadour unveiling observant lyricism and personal experiences into a vibrant and wholesome body of work. Packing eleven musical episodes, ‘Flamingo Road’ does not seek to reinvent the wheel; rather, it pays a heartfelt homage to it.
Evoking the likes of The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, and Bob Dylan, among others, Blake makes good use of jangly guitars and rolling drum grooves, then leaves ample space for his own vocals, at times quite hypnotic and prophetic. The recordings carry a heightened retro flair, a lo-fi allure that almost makes it a period piece. For instance, ‘Scapegoating’ could have been taken straight out of a Beatles album. Yet, the album finds its well-deserved home in the 21st century, and that’s all down to Blake’s careful, nuanced compositional talent.
Delving deeper into the record, the Chippenham-based creative explains: “It’s both inspired by external events or personal experiences, especially with issues seen in the UK and the world at large. However, most of the songs on the LP relate to experiences in my personal life over the past year. It’s a confessional piece overall.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Flamingo Road’ on Spotify: