The Last Concorde - Flashback
Review by Karl Magi
Overall Album Impressions
The Last Concorde’s Flashback casts a synth spell that transports listeners into an alternate ‘80s universe while keeping the sounds fresh and intriguing. The mixture of intricate sonic layers, attractive melodies and talented musical guests results in a deeply pleasing album.
The synth palette on Flashback is brimful with a plethora of ear-grabbing sounds. The way in which The Last Concorde combines those richly varied auditory elements elevates them to greater heights. I am drawn in by the luscious tonal range, fascinating textures and massively active low end rhythms. This is synth music that bathes me in musical bliss.
Melodies that are heartwarming and engaging abound on Flashback. There is often an emotive quality, full of ache, that fills even the more upbeat melodies. I enjoy the sense of longing for a time past or perhaps one that has never really existed that fills the music on this album.
I am also pleased by the inclusion of Dreamkid and Emma Ballantine from The Lightning Kids in the musical package. They each have distinctive vocal styles that complement the overall feeling on the album. They help make it as strongly engaging as possible with their contributions.
My Favourite Tracks Analyzed
"Flashback I” begins as resonant chimes sparkle and grow in volume while bass swells up underneath. Hollow percussion forms a popping pulse that doubles angular chimes. A flat drum sound creates a bursting beat above luscious bass and below hypnotic chimes.
Gliding synth drifts past in the distance, adding an open quality to the track. Scintillating chimes interlock in an entrancing pattern with the shaping drumbeat. Shimmering notes flicker as luminous synth trembles as the drums punch, Broadly sliding glistening synth fills the background while chimes impart a pleasing solar light to the proceedings.
A more peaceful feeling contrasts with intense glow while the solid drums continue to add form. The medium-high, sweeping synth becomes more pronounced as it calls out before fading out with tapping percussion and flickering chimes.
Distantly rippling notes trickle through open space in rapid motion as air flows to open “Wet Dreams” Huge, undulating bass is joined by slamming drums as elevated, metallic notes whirl in steady motion.
Funky bass adds to the groove as colossal drums propel the track while lushly entangling synth flows in the background. Toms pop in before the track glides with serene ease. Heaving bass supports sparkling synth as it spins with slap bass accents.
Massive drums surge as blissed-out, creamily slipping synth tangles into a wonderful sense of magenta relaxation. Sharply flashing, revolving notes keep on moving above the muscled strength of percussion and bass. There’s a flowing moment of pause before the track jumps and whirls into silence.
“All I Need Is You” starts as heavily throbbing, gigantic drums are touched by sparkling chimes before oscillating bass forms a propulsive pattern. Dreamkid’s passionate voice carries a yearning melody over driving drums and bass.
Raised synths flicker with gentle light and the chorus soars up as drums guide the music over the pulsating bass. The vocal melody blends hope and affection while radiance pours from sparkling synth.
Guitar calls out to accent the vocal melody and an enfolding synth tide swirls as fragile notes float and tender sax drifts through. Dreamkid’s voice caresses as the guitar dances to add weight and strength while oscillating bass pushes the music forward while the drums rebound.
Our storyteller talks about being alone in the city from “dawn to dark” and wonders if he has “seized up on the edge.” He can see love all around him but feels that “it’s barely chasing me.”He points out that “memories of you breeze in out of my mind” from time to time and they strike him like lightning. He adds “you’re always what I wanted. All I need is you.”
The narrator says he’s been chasing his dreams “on this highway of life” but he didn’t “get the memo.” What was obscured clears up and “the blinds are now wide open.” He adds that he’s never been afraid of risks and “I’m so damn unattended” now. He concludes by saying that “you’ll never make a splash if you don’t jump, so I won’t be burning longer.”
Gossamer synth with a wide glide sweeps through to commence “Ocean.” Drums rebound in a clean pulse and funky slap bass augments the low end groove. Orchestra hits leap with bright energy and panpipes create a hypnotic pattern exuding breathy peace.
Trembling drums press on and orchestra hits jump. Popping synth weaves into the mix to raise the music's energy levels while active drums press on. I find the strong retro energy of the well-crafted drum part especially appealing.
Refulgent, scudding synth gives the track a feeling of non-stop movement while panpipes briefly cry out. Slap bass twangs as a tautly flitting synth line dances in angular motion. Panpipes take up a melody that demands action while colossal drums drive on.
“Joan Wilder” begins as summery synth sails in along with open-sounding percussion. Trembling bells shift above widely pulsing bass as a thumping beat dances in along with stacked up, flashing synth chords. Panpipes float, carrying a melody imbued with playful energy.
The Last Concorde skillfully creates a sensation of poolside lounging as drums and bass frolic. Synth chords add lustre in the background while a breezy melody skips along as the low end pulse moves onward smoothly. Flitting guitar licks add a groovy note and timbales add Latin flair.
The lead synth’s airy feeling suits the melody’s celebratory feeling as it slides along. A delicate synth cloud moves below the guiding drumbeat as it passes by. Crystalline synth begins to grow into the music with a hazily shining feeling before it reaches full strength as distant bass swells.
Funkily entangled guitar pops as the energizing percussion presses on. Trumpet-like notes vibrate into the the unstoppable low end throbs on. The track ends on the sprightly melody with which it began.
Trickling xylophone moves above brushing percussion in a softly tumbling flow to open “Capri.” Chimes shimmer and muscled drums touch the track. An underlying, silken synth slides with feathery fragility as drums tick and xylophone hypnotizes.
Giant, retro drums burst to form a guiding beat while bass slips below as the xylophone reverberates in an intoxicating melodic pattern. After the drums throb alone, the xylophone adds an angular air of mystery to the track. The drums keep pulsating in a sonic wall.
After a drum flourish, electric guitar slides out with a majestic feeling and the xylophone wraps my ears in trance-inducing motion. Now drums fade and cosmic background synth ends the track.
“Back To You” starts as solid drums are joined by steadily clapping percussion and flowing bass as medium notes flare. Emma Ballantine’s ethereal voice is calming but tinged with ache as illuminating synth flares burst. Strong drums add addictive propulsion as gleaming chords entangle.
Emma Ballantine emotes and sunlit notes glimmer as the chorus has a soothing melancholy in it, matching the lyrics while dense bass trembles far below. Sharp edged, twirling synth cuts in as bell-like notes ring out and the drumbeat pulsates.
Flashing synth dances past as the spring, dynamic low end presses on while the vocal melody is softly touching and the energetic bass and drums interlock to take the song to an end.
Some relationships are frustrating but hard to escape. Our narrator notices that the other person says they love her when they’re alone and want her when they are gone. She swears that “I have to stop going back to you.”
The storyteller is being told she’s missed when the song’s subject is out with friends and leaves empty promises to call her even as she waits. She concludes that, in spite of it all, "I keep running back to you! “
Bright brass hits flash along with a crisply clicking drum beat that moves with razor sharp bass to kick off “Dreamers.” A strong groove tinged with varied percussion moves in as reverberant, airy synth carries a fragile melody with a nostalgic quality.
Fluting synth sings a hazy, flickering melodic line with a hint of loss in it. Slap bass makes a compelling entrance as drums bounce and brass stabs as the solid drums pop. The flute exhales in a wandering pattern while bass slices and record scratches scribble.
Big drums drive and the active baseline keeps the music moving. Wind flows and panpipes ripple in silken tranquility while rounded synth flares and record scratches come in.
“Those Days” kicks off as a throbbing drum and bass pattern propels the track with interlocking synths smoothly carrying chords that speak of peace and forward progress. After drums flourish, open-voiced synth spills out with yearning emotion while drums and bass push on below it.
In the distance, chimes twinkle while widely slipping notes slide behind the repeating melodic pattern with its dreamy quality. Now colossal bass surges as synth chords project luminosity into the track.
After a light swirl, the bright synth creates a pleasingly tranquil impression while percussion adds form. Radiant chimes carry an uplifting melodic motif above the low end's weight. Quickly trickling synth skips past as the solid drums and bass guide the track to an end.
A deep bass pool flows out as medium-high, sharp-edged synth drifts in gleaming motion to open “Flashback III.” A sweeping sound is joined by effulgent synth chords before widely glowing chimes carry a melancholy and soothing melody.
Punchy drums burst and bass growls. There’s optimism in the chiming notes as they flicker out above gargantuan drums. Ticking percussion underpins enfolding synth clouds as they well up in a more quiescent segment.
Drums rebound as resonant synth sings a touching melody mingling longing and warmth above swirling synth chords. Chiming notes glimmer as they interweave loss and hope as drums tick quietly while the bass falls silent.
Conclusion
Flashback takes familiar retrowave elements and makes them into a fresh, fun and ear-catching final album. I enjoy the approach taken by The Last Concorde on this album and find it easy to hear over and over again.
