BNQT – Volume 1

An utterly gorgeous offering from hugely talented musicians...

There’s a luscious, ‘70s sound that washes over BNQT’s debut. The supergroup’s leaders — former Midlake-ers Eric Pulido, McKenzie Smith, Joey Mcclellan and Jesse Chandler — showcased their love of all things glam and Genesis back on 2013’s ‘Antiphon’, and the theme continues, from the fuzz guitar of opener ‘Restart’ to the Fleetwood Mac floatiness of ‘Mind of a Man’, sung by Travis’ Fran Healy.

Grandaddy’s Jason Lytle brings his delicate wisp of a voice to one of the best, ‘100 Million Miles’. It’s unmistakeable Grandaddy, but with that folky, orchestral richness that Midlake always did so well.

Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos scores another great with understated final track ‘Fighting the World’ — it’s heartache meets Stranger Things. And Band of Horses’ Ben Bridwell brings complete joy with the all-American ‘Unlikely Force’ — the perfect retro sitcom theme.

But singers aside, we have those subtle harmonies drenching every song, sparkles of synth, strings and flute, and those sunrise drums lifting everything. It’s utterly gorgeous and the best bits of Midlake still shine through.

8/10

Words: Gemma Hampson

– – –

– – –

Buy Clash Magazine

-
Join the Clash mailing list for up to the minute music, fashion and film news.