Blitz Vega is the last musical project from the late Smiths’ bassist Andy Rourke alongside Happy Mondays guitarist Kav Sandhu.

Release Date:  Friday 27th September 2024

Label: FutureSonic Records

Format: Vinyl / CD / Digital

BLITZ VEGA

It is no surprise that Blitz Vega’s sound on Northern Gentleman bears close resemblance to the 80′ bands associated with the North West of England. Originally  based between New York City and Los Angeles, Blitz Vega  the collaboration of ex-Smiths man Andy Rourke and ex-Happy Mondays man Kav Sandhu debuted in 2019. As in previous projects, Johnny Marr makes a guest appearance on guitar.

Disconnected does exactly what it doesn’t say on the tin. An appealing opener, you could say it is a little bit like Stone Roses meets Pet Shop Boys in the refrains. It immediately connects you with the band releasing enough intrigue to get your interest.

Johnny Marr’s  skills are enlisted on Strong Forever re-creating  that 80’s indie sound. Don’t be misled by the echoey Americana style opening  bursts into the bouncy, catchy song of lost love. Big Nose has an early cosmic – Floyd opening which runs into punky vocals. This the first of five tracks featured on this album which were previously released on the EP Stolen Ground.

AND SO IT GOES…

And so it goes on a totally different sound with Lost Myself. The appeal is still strong  leaving you wondering what they are going to offer next. With a ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ guitar riff in the middle, it shows that their strength is in their versatility. The quality of musicianship hits the top shelf.

May Day May Day calls out out the plea in the intro to Lost & Found. Already, this album saves us from the dross served out on contemporary radio playlists. This track just makes the lifebelt more secure. Screaming guitars, infective rhythms and again, inventive.

High Gravity mixes heavy acoustic with orchestral keyboards. ‘It’s what I want,’  the vocals repeatedly refrain. It’s what I want more of too! Then, the contrast of Love City romps along like a boppy surf song. albeit a tad heavier.

PASS THE GUN

Pass The Gun’s inciting disturbing theme purports to some shocking Trumpian values which I’m sure the band don’t  share but it is a reflection on how some members of modern society misguidedly wish to get their message across. 

This album is a wonderful tribute to Andy Rourke , who sadly passed away in May 2023, especially when Kav Sandhu proudly admits, “He made me promise that I’d release and tour this record. So I want to fulfil his wishes and take the record on the road. As a writer and musician, I finally feel I’ve made something and been a part of the making of something that I really wanted to create.“

As a posthumous record, this is a fitting elegy to honour one of music’s greats.

Blitz Vega: Instagram / Facebook / X (formerly Twitter)

Andy Rourke: Instagram

Kav Sandhu: Instagram

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