Video Blue - Night Painting Album Review

By

Jim O'Donoghue Martin, also known as Video Blue is originally from Dundalk but has been plying his trade in London for the last few years. Having released his debut album "Love Scenes" back in 2017, Video Blue is now back with his latest album "Night Painting". The album was recorded in various locations across London including Boogaloo Radio, ID Audio, SARM Studios and Jim's bedroom in Hackney.

The album starts with the sublime "What Have You Got". It's more of a spoken word poetic piece delivered over some truly beautiful relaxing beats. Next up is the previously released single "Guts". "Guts" is a dream like sequence if that dream took place in a Marrakech coffee shop. There's a contrast of music in here that is sometimes celebratory and sometimes gloomy which works perfectly.
"On Desire Lines" offers an electronic hip hop beat that permeates your brain and makes you involuntarily nod your head along to the dazzling sounds. "The Sound Of The Snap" is a much more intimate offering from Video Blue. There's a sense of heartache in the lyrics which is nicely juxtaposed with the cheerful beauty of the birds signing at dawn. "Action!" features the vocals of Claire Byrne on what is a faster pace track than most of the album. The duet segments are genuinely heartwarming.
"Moonjetvenus" is four and a half minutes of absolute atmospheric joy. I could listen to this on a loop for hours whilst meditating. Simply incredible. "The Crossing" is stripped back to create another celestial piece of music. "Peninsula" has a more playful dance sound. The most upbeat song on the album which shows the musical range of Video Blue.
The final song on the album is a live version of "Slow News Day" which was recorded at The Social, Little Portland Street in London. It's easy to hear that Jim's vocals command the room with it's strength and confidence.

"Night Painting" is an exquisite album from Video Blue. His range, musical ability and confidence shine through on this record as he is clearly a man who knows what sound he is looking for but also knows exactly how to achieve it. 



Follow Video Blue on:
Bandcamp
SoundCloud
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
Spotify




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Logan J Parker - Cry Cry Cry Single Review

By
Image
Logan J. Parker is a singer songwriter living in London but originally from Portugal. Logan is also a producer, pianist and guitarist with sound steeped in 60's rock n' roll, soul and blues. She is also a part of the musical wing of Extinction Rebellion. Her influences include T Bone Walker, Amy Winehouse and Leonard Cohen. Whilst working in a bank job that she hated, Logan had a health scare which showed her that life is short and time can't be wasted doing something you hate so that's when her musical journey began. In 2016 she moved to London to compose her own music which she recorded in a fully solar powered studio and through her own independent company meaning that she owns all of the copyright to her music. In late 2019 Logan released her self titled debut EP. She recently released a single from that EP called "Cry Cry Cry". Watch the video for "Cry Cry Cry" here: "Cry Cry Cry" is a bluesy jazz number. It's
Read more

Logan J. Parker - Blue Single Review

By
Image
Logan J Parker is a singer songwriter from Portugal but currently residing in London. Just a couple of weeks ago I reviewed her single Cry Cry Cry and now she returns with her latest single Blue. About the song, Logan says " Blue is another sad song I wrote about the lockdown and it's dedicated to my mother and best friend Rita. Without her, I wouldn't be a musician." Watch the video here: Blue is a quirky upbeat jazz track and is Logan's first foray into the ukulele. The happy vibes of the music and Logan's vocal delivery masks the sadness in the lyrics. This song will put you in a  good mood for the rest of the day.  Follow Logan J Parker: Twitter Instagram Facebook Spotify Official Website SoundCloud YouTube
Read more

Foot Squeaker - No Connection Single Review

By
Image
Foot Squeaker are a three piece rock band from Gorey, Wexford. The band is made up of Diarmuid Comerford, Mick Byrne and Mike Lynch. They formed in 2018 when Diarmuid and Mike wanted to start a band with one rule: keep it hard and fast. In 2019, Mick joined the fold and the band rehearsed for the next several months. Their first gig was at The Gap Arts Festival where they received a great reception. In January 2020, the band recorded four track at Hellfire Studios in Dublin. The first to be released will be the band's debut single  No Connection on May 29th. The song was tracked live during the recording session. The music video was shot on the deserted streets of Gorey within the 2km travel radius. Watch the video here: No Connection is a rip roaring hard rock song. The band's sound is immense with the bass being particularly delicious. The chorus is catchy as fuck and will be stuck in your head for ages after listening. Foot Squeaker are a really exciting ba
Read more