Who Built the Moon?
With every solo release, Noel Gallagher engages more of his experimental impulses. Here he celebrates turning 50 by delivering his most dynamic and spirited record in over 20 years. It’s also his most adventurous to date, full of kaleidoscopic ambition, propulsive rhythms, and, on the bracing glam romp “Holy Mountain,” a tin whistle. Within the palatial psychedelia (“Black & White Sunshine”) and throbbing disco-rock (“She Taught Me How to Fly”), his ear for an exhilarating chorus and a universal lyric is at its sharpest. He may be treading new ground, but Noel’s at his familiar best.
Noel Gallagher’s latest is the most ambitious of his solo releases, internalizing the heyday of late ’90s Britpop while sounding both urgent and absurd to mostly great effect.
Björk finds her way back to love on Utopia, while Sufjan Stevens serves up lovely Carrie & Lowell outtakes on his Greatest Gift mixtape. These, plus Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds in this week’s notable releases.
On 'Who Built The Moon?', Noel Gallagher turns in his best work since '(What's The Story) Morning Glory'. Read NME's verdict
After nearly a full post-Oasis decade in cruise control, their chief creative force finally embraces experimentation.
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Who Built The Moon?; Bjork – Utopia; Sufjan Stevens – The Greatest Gift; Aretha Franklin with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – A Brand New Me; Jim Byrnes – Long Hot Summer Days; Naomi Bedford & Paul Simmonds – Songs My Ruiner Gave To Me; Wilco – Being There: Deluxe Edition
After spending nearly 20 years battling his brother Liam, he needed to take things easy, and if his solo records -- Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds (2011) and Chasing Yesterday (2015) -- were a little too calm, consider it a consequence of navigating himself out of chaos.
The early days of Noel Gallagher’s solo career felt a little stilted, with a palpable reluctance to stray too far from what legions of Oasis fans
Noel Gallagher's productivity under the moniker of solo outfit the High Flying Birds demonstrates his musicianship and progressing showmanship since Oasis...
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds come roaring on our review 'Who Built The Moon?' as they easily overshadow some minor blemishes.
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Who Built the Moon? review: Noel aims for the moon, has trouble getting off the ground.
The latest album from the Gallagher's High-Flying Birds sounds like a pub band going through the motions