“Of all the excellent releases on this list, why have 3 of you picked this?”

These are the words (or as close to them as possible anyway) our dear editor/overlord here at Ave Noctum said to me when I requested this release to cover. Amidst a sea of blackened metal, [genre]-gaze and gloom, this album stood out, almost as if it called to me, saying “You know you want to hear me and talk about me, do it, ask for it!”

Preamble aside, Night Flight Orchestra are a total unknown to me. Originally, I was supposed to see them live at Bloodstock 2021, but because of Covid-19 restrictions, it put a hold on this happening, so the timing of Aeromantic II popping up does replace the live experience to some degree. All I know of this band is that the 80’s live on, and to be honest, I can get down with that… So, grab your gaudy coloured suits, your abstract shaped jewellery, hairspray, cheap sunglasses and jump in that angular supercar knock off and let’s get to the party.

Straight away, it is hard to find fault with this release if you appreciate the sounds of 80’s AOR styled music. Minimalist chord structures, blaring synths, a solid rhythm section and big, expressive vocals and guitar solos are the special of the day on this album and the quality of the performance from start to finish is simply astounding. Miami Vice goes disco, an album which could have featured in full on GTA: Vice City, synthwave meets new wave meets AOR and classic 80’s heavy metal… It is just a fantastic blend of genres, influences and sounds, and it just clicks together so well.

“Violent Indigo” is the impressive opening track which sets the standard for the release. It’s long-distance love themed lyrics work so well with the energetic synth blasts and it’s big anthemic chorus is guaranteed to raise the roof of any venue where NFO play. “Midnight Marvellous” has that driving 4/4 pulse which hooks you and its dynamics are perfectly played out. Rising sections leading into massive choruses, teasing lead melodies and a sweet sounding mid-section with some staccato bass stabs and slick shredding and funky flashes of chords sets up for a massive chorus loop finale. “How Long” feels like it should be on the soundtrack to an action movie or 80’s themed action/crime tv series. It has some bite in the vocal delivery, atmospheric synths which slip in and out of the layers and again, some solid shifting sections which build for that big impact chorus moment. It’s simplistic on a compositional front, a few chords, some licks, some synth blasts and a solid rhythm, but it works so damn well.

Just from the opening trio of tracks, you can hear the influences. Journey-like choruses, Mr. Big styled showmanship and flashes of NWOBHM like Def Leppard and Iron Maiden are all in the mix. It’s expressive, dynamic and infectious as hell. The mid-section of the album is the big peak though. The trio of “Chardonnay Nights”, “Change” and “Amber Through A Window” are stunning works which use the formula laid out on previous tracks to great effect. ‘Chardonnay Nights’ has a vibrant rhythm which hooks you in and compels you to dance, ‘Change’ packs more of a punch instrumentally with a lot of synth-directed sections whilst ‘Amber Through A Window’ just blows everything before it out of the water. Hard hitting, loaded with segments which push the energy of the track through the roof for some massive choruses and tricky and nimble bass and guitar theatrics which keep the flair factor in there makes it a track which will become one of NFO’s defining anthems in times to come.

Other great moments include “Zodiac” which has the attitude and style of a heavier approach to mid-80’s Michael Jackson (Think ‘Beat It’) and closing track ‘Moonlit Skies’ which manages to blend mid-80’s Maiden and synth pop in a bizarre yet extremely workable fashion, sustaining the vibrant energy which has been present throughout the album, but brining us down for a safe landing with minimal fuss!

In all, this album is one of the best surprises of 2021 I have had musically. In a year where (personally speaking) there hasn’t been many releases which have blown me away or had me latch onto them like some kind of parasite, vicariously living through them, “Aeromantic II” has managed to start off the post-summer rush of releases in style. With more big names to come, let’s see if this Swedish sensation can soar through the skies with ease.

(9/10 Fraggle)

https://www.facebook.com/thenightflightorchestraofficial

https://thenightflightorchestra.bandcamp.com/album/aeromantic-ii