Review | The Night Flight Orchestra – Give Us The Moon

Napalm Records

The upcoming album of The Night Flight Orchestra, `Give Us the Moon’, is poised to be a transformative experience in the realm of classic and progressive rock. Their highly anticipated seventh studio effort showcases the band’s signature blend of AOR-inspired soundscapes and captivating storytelling, promising listeners an exhilarating sonic journey. They are one of the benchmark recording acts of the genre, gradually expanding their reach and fanbase, and the new album is a step up towards perfection.

`Give Us the Moon’ above all is the band’s most cinematic release to date, featuring an array of themes that traverse from romantic nostalgia to tales of heroines and liberating escapism. The album’s narrative is enriched by real-life inspirations and is set against evocative backdrops of abandoned cities and cosmic tides, creating an immersive listening experience that resonates with fans.

CATCHY HOOKS

The album opens with the atmospheric intro track ,,Final Call”, which smoothly transitions into the electrifying ,,Stratus”. This track sets a high bar for the album with its impressive instrumentation and catchy hooks. What immediately garners attention is the impressive interplay of the band reconnecting the dots of their past. It all is executed with radiant persona and the discharge on the harmonies is electric.

Björn Strid’s vocals pierce into the harmonies of Anna Brygard and Åsa Lundman, while at moments the sections of vocal harmonies are impressive well aligned. Just check how well everything works on the more contemporary themed ,,Shooting Velvet” with its piercing backing vocals and vocal interaction atop the reverting keyboard melody and subtle instrumentation. Subsequent tracks like ,,Like the Beating of a Heart” and ,,Melbourne, May I?” further exemplify the band’s ability to craft anthemic choruses paired with intricate solos that are sure to captivate audiences.

A UNIQUE FLAVOR

Each song on `Give Us the Moon’ offers a unique flavor, showcasing the band’s creative versatility. The emotional depth of ,,Paloma” contrasts beautifully with the uplifting energy of ,,Cosmic Tide”, while the title track invites listeners into a euphoric singalong experience. What to think of the throbbing and pumping ,,Way to Spend the Night” with its echoing licks and parading stance? The chorus unexpectedly hitting with wonderful melodies and layered vocals, is TNFO-benchmark, with energy hitting in waves!

The band’s penchant for name-dropping iconic locations in tracks like the memorable ,,A Paris Point of View” (and ,,Melbourne, May I?”) adds a layer of charm, enhanced by 80s-inspired keys and groovy bass lines that evoke nostalgia. I’m especially struck by the classic execution of drums, not overplaying or extremely dynamic, they are deployed in layers of groove, with rattling clean productive notes. It adds to the astounding guitar interaction and impressive solos that are perfectly aligned with the melody and song’s emotional discharge. Riffs are simple and grounded with melting hooks dropping in between the licks.

The album culminates in the epic closing track, ,,Stewardess, Empress, Hot Mess (And the Captain of Pain)”, which encapsulates the journey through its cinematic scope. This track not only wraps up the album but also leaves listeners yearning for more, solidifying the album as a significant milestone in the discography of The Night Flight Orchestra. The cover art and band pictures touching base with the song makes the album into a comprehensive well geared uniform ‘concept’.

THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA – THE CONCLUSION

Produced by Sebastian Forslund in close collaboration with the band, and mastered by Plec Johansson at The Panic Room Studios, the record sees meticulous attention to detail in its production. Maintaining the transparency of contemporary rock stacked with classic ingredients from the pomp rock giants like Shooting Star, Orion and Orphan, the music balances a modern and classic scale perfectly.

Following the storming release of Bonfire, The Night Flight Orchestra crafted an album raising the bar for all bands in 2025, transcending genre limitations while paying homage to the rich musical landscape of the 1980’s. This album promises to be not just a collection of songs but a grand escape into a world of sound and emotion, one that will surely resonate with listeners long after the final note fades away.

The Night Flight Orchestra’s star rose rapidly since their founding days in 2007, and the band never fails to deliver. Must hear!

Release date: 31 January 2025