By Daffs (TwoDaff)
After previous success with the Northern Soul inspired ‘Magic Carpet Ride’ and the glorious summer anthem ‘Clementine’ Leicester based band Gazelle return with their 3rd track of the year, ‘Violet Hour Blues’recorded at Hope Mill Studio, Manchester and sees the band take another shift in their sound with an emotive, yet just as powerful stripped back sound.
Having previously interviewed the band for our Waxing Lyrical articles along with a review of Clementine, these lads certainly know what they are doing and what they want. Shying away from the 90’s Britpop/Gallagher formulas and sticking to their guns, creating a sound that is unique. With a multitude and broad range of influences, subtly employed in their tracks they cannot be pigeon holed into any set genre…its simply great music and delivered impeccably. An ethic that should be commended today.
Gone are the driven guitar riffs and bouncy rhythms that get you up dancing, Violet Hour Blues stops you in your tracks and gives you that moment of pause, a moment of reflection yet it is just as powerful as their previous releases. As mentioned, this is a complete change in direction, a gamble some might say…well, yes, it is but it is a gamble that definitely pays off.
The vocal on this track is exceptional, its mournful, emotive and expressive. Opening with a melodic and elegant acoustic guitar intro before the vocal hits you with the opening line “The violet hour shifts and makes a beeline” and instantly you can feel the emotion emanating through the first verse, its haunting, atmospheric yet the vocal is so light, so refreshing its full of hope.
“Melodic and elegant acoustic”
The track builds from there on, the introduction of keys and lead guitar give it a colourful texture without taking away the emotive element. The chorus (of sorts) “So Let me blow my blues away, Before the morning does call my name” is a real goosebump moment. I can see this song giving people a lump in the throat it’s that powerful.
“A colourful texture”
And then we have a delightful solo, that just shimmers and chimes on top of hushed drums, keys and the acoustic rhythm. Its rich and uplifting, contrasting with the soulful, yearning vocal without clashing, giving the song a further lift and adding to the powerful meanings to the song. In a world that often drags you down and tries to keep you at rock bottom, nothing will anchor you there. There is hope.
“Soulful, yearning vocal”
This song, in my opinion is their best to date, I don’t want to compare it with anything that’s gone before but this could well be Gazelles ‘Don’t look back in anger’ track, from the perspective of passion and emotion that this song has. (I hope they don’t mind me saying that) and yet again encompasses all that is great about Gazelle. You never know what you are going to get next but one thing is guaranteed, it will be a brilliant track. I know it’s a cliché but this band just get better and stronger with everything they do. In addition, you get variety, every track is different, yet every track is strong, every track is an anthem whether it be a fast-paced energy driven song like Magic carpet ride’ or the passion and emotion that’s felt with this one. Bring on number four I say.
Find out more here
https://linktr.ee/gazellebanduk
As always Gazelle have a fantastic video to go along with the track
