Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds: Council Skies

Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds are next up for review. 'Council Skies' is Noel's first album for six years, his previous being 2017's 'Who Built the Moon'. Those of you who were not a fan of the experimental nature of that record will be pleased to hear, that 'Council Skies' see's Noel return to his roots, in more ways than one.

Side A opens with the acoustic strum of 'I'm Not Giving Up Tonight' complete with strings. Much like how Arctic Monkeys did on their 2022 album 'The Car', Noel uses these strings to create atmosphere and add to the song. His songwriting on this record is some of his most mature to date, and he kicks things off with a true solo gem. It see's Noel embrace what he is good at with a contemporary feel. 'Pretty Boy' is next and this was the first song Noel recorded for this record, and also happened to be the first single. If anything the song is an anomaly it sounds like nothing else on the record, and nods back to the experimental era of his solo career. I can see this track becoming a live favourite, the remix done by Robert Smith isn't half band either. Very much like The Cure as you can imagine.

'Dead to the World' is one of the best pieces of solo material released by either Gallagher brother post Oasis, and one of Noel's best songs ever. The song has a very Burt Bacharach feel, with 60's strings littered throughout. A very personal song, which we can imagine is about Noel's breakup with Sara MacDonald. Even Liam was a fan 'How can such a mean spirited little man write such a beautiful song?' It acts as the albums centre piece and believe me it's a good one.

'Open the Door and See What You Find' is the penultimate track on Side A, and again Noel uses the strings to great effect, with a catchy chorus to boot, it reminds me a lot of Noel's earlier solo work, it could easily fit on his self titled debut or 'Chasing Yesterday'. A soaring solo effort. 'Trying to Find a World That's Been and Gone Pt1' ends Side A, we were treated to a demo of this song in 2022, this version polishes up the song complete with strings and brass. It's a true gem of the album and reminds me a lot of those great Oasis B-Sides. The album has a theme throughout it is quite reflective, this track could have been written by a much younger Noel Gallagher looking for a way out of his life, written in Manchester as he looked up at the 'Council Skies'.

Side B opens with 'Easy Now' one of Noel's best solo songs, and up there with some of the songs he wrote in Oasis. It has that Oasis anthemic quality to it, and has become one of my favourite things he has ever written. This song will win over even the most devout 'Parka Monkey'. Like all great Noel songs, it is uplifting and meaningful, relating to the listener no matter who they are or where they are. This will be a live favourite for years to come. 

'Council Skies' takes us back to Manchester where it all began, it's one of Noel's most romantic efforts to date, a traditional love song about being young and free. It's a song about his youth indirectly and its the most Mancunian sounding song on the album. There's even a reference to The Verve 'Catching the butterfly, under the Council Skies.' It sees Noel Gallagher reclaiming his past and paying homage to his roots, whilst demonstrating how the power of music can whisk you away to some otherworldly place. Noel has said that music did that for him, and he understands what it can do for other people.

'There She Blows' reminds me of two Liverpool legends George Harrison with it's swirling guitars, and The La's in the verses. It is simply a homage though, this is still very much a Noel Gallagher composition, although the man is proud of Manchester and he is very much a Manchester songwriter. He is not afraid to pay homage to those 30 miles down the M62. This song is one I have not seen many talk about, but it's one of the best things on the album.

'Love is A Rich Man' is the albums penultimate track, complete with a drumbeat intro that pays homage to the opening seconds of ‘I Am The Resurrection’ by the Stone Roses. The guitars also have a Stone Roses feel, but the brass and strings bring it back to earth. It's another heavier track and it proves that Noel has still got it him, it's not 'Cigarettes & Alcohol' but neither is it 'Talk Tonight' and any song that pays homage to Ian, John, Mani and Reni gets my vote. 'Think of a Number' brings the album to a close. A nod to The Beatles, and a reflective song that see's Noel looking back, on how he has got here, and also looking outwards towards where he possibly may be going. Again it's got some of the most personal lyrics he has ever written. A future classic? Maybe.

This record will have something for old and new fans alike. It's probably his best solo effort to date. Was it worth the six year wait? Absolutely.