Review | The Night Flight Orchestra – Give Us The Moon [Limited Vinyl Edition]

Napalm Records

`Give Us The Moon’ of The Night Flight Orchestra is a triumphant celebration of classic rock, propelling the genre into new heights with their signature blend of AOR-inspired soundscapes and captivating storytelling. This seventh studio album showcases the band‘s evolution, solidifying their position as one of the new benchmark recording acts in the genre. Getting my hands on this limited edition signed vinyl version at the opening night of their current tour, makes me revisit their brand-new album for a short summary of my previous review.

FROM METAL TO SMOOTH AOR

The album’s cinematic quality is immediately apparent, with tracks like the opening powerhouse ,,Stratus” and the insanely slick melody driven ,,Shooting Velvet” emerging as instant classics. Björn Strid‘s vocal prowess shines throughout, demonstrating his remarkable ability to transition from metal to smooth AOR crooning. The interplay between Strid’s vocals and the harmonies of Anna Brygard and Asa Lundman creates an electrifying atmosphere, particularly evident in tracks like ,,Way to Spend the Night”, the keyboard funked and riff driven ,,Miraculous” and the wonderful ,,Paloma”. Songs that immediately land with me and evoke the classic era of melodic rock and arena rock. The blend of classic ingredients, Toto jazzy instrumentation, and multi-layered vocals is dominating the overall experience of melodies and harmonies nesting.

Musically, the album is a testament to the versatility of The Night Flight Orchestra. From the constructional depth of the title track to the uplifting energy of ,,A Paris Point of View” and the progressive hinges on which ,,Cosmic Tide” rotates, each song offers a unique flavor. The instrumentation is top-notch, with clean, groovy drum patterns complementing the astounding guitar work and impressive solos. The interplay is stellar and boasted by the solid production that is extraverted on this vinyl version.

A MORE ORGANIC AND VERSATILE SOUND

What sets this album apart from the regular edition is this vinyl edition, which benefits from a more organic and versatile sound. This format enhances the album’s ability to transcend its 80s influences, creating a listening experience that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern. The warm, rich tones of vinyl perfectly complement the band’s meticulous attention to production details, resulting in a sound that balances contemporary rock with classic ingredients from pomp rock giants. The packaging is sublime, and the artwork’s radiant appeal comes across even more striking. With the wax in luminous pink marble, it also adds volumes to the joy of the presentation.

Not being a real fanboy, I even enjoy the fact this version picked up at the boot is signed by all members, making it a special presentation all over.

With all the melodic mayhem unleashed on this crackling vinyl, the closing trio of the album gains traction. The riffy and chordal hooked ,,Runaways” injects the true-at-heart heaviness and melodic slickness pumping through my sound system. Followed by the upbeat and cheerful ,,The Way to Spend the Night”, the album mocks up towards its grand finale: ,,Stewardess, Empress, Hot Mess (And the Captain Of Pain)”. This track is a seven-minute rollercoaster ride of pure rock opera perfection, encapsulating the album’s cinematic scope and leaving listeners yearning for more. It rides in the rails of the previous track while percolating more conceptual creativeness bordering with Ayreon’s work and Styx’ concept albums of past (‘Paradise Theater’) and present (‘The Mission’).

THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA – THE CONCLUSION

It is an awe-inspiring ride through the sonic heights of the genre. The organics of the vinyl inject more low-end dynamics to the sound, making it a spin reaching replay. The light remote crackle of the vinyl ignites the spark of the past, holding a cherished new album and putting it on your record player for its maiden spin. The vinyl adds more nostalgia to the experience of `Give Us The Moon’ and its sound comes across more rounded as it pumps through your speakers. The low end thicker, creates an organic feeling in the mix that is less dominant on the cd version, and the streaming edition. Better balance, more balls!

`Give Us the Moon’ is not just a collection of melodic hard rock songs, but a grand escape into a world of sound and intense emotion. It’s a true gift for those who love their music bold, melodic nostalgic, and utterly captivating, and it is one of the best albums of 2025 in this field of rock. This must listen will reboot your classic senses and will make you return into the arenas of the past, celebrating jukebox heroes like Foreigner, Styx, Survivor, Heart, etc. It fires on all cylinders!

The vinyl adds volumes!