Album Review: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds – Black Star Dancing

Noel Gallagher has taken a surprising leap backwards in time. Further than Oasis, further than the '90s, the famed songwriter for the British indie staples has somehow managed to get lost in the '80s with his latest offering, Black Star Dancing – and it’s odd.

It’s odd because all the pop and disco nuances that collide with the indie-rocker’s particular style work, yet it still feels uncomfortable. Gallagher has combined old school disco flavours with a fresh sound, zealous drum machines and fiery guitars, but the mix can never really settle.

For all that Gallagher surprises with this choice of direction, once you've got your head around it you find yourself quietly enjoying what can only be described as easy listening for the middle-aged, the reckless indie kids of the '90s who, like Gallagher, have matured somewhat. Of course, there are a few jogs of the memory with some of these tracks. The trickle of water opening Sail On reminds us of Champagne Supernova, only it boasts a sense of clarity the '90s hit doesn’t. The inclusion of two remixes of the EP's title track seems a bit lazy and might perform best as wedding music. 

It’s a dichotomous effort from Gallagher, but only he could get away with something so cosmically conflicting.