Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds return to familiar territory in Council Skies

As Kremlinologists parsed the utterances of Soviet leaders, so now Oasis-watchers comb exchanges between Noel and Liam Gallagher for significance. Does the latest volley of insults, in which Noel called Liam a “coward” and Liam responded that Noel “hates” Oasis fans, mean a rumoured return in 2025 is off the table? Or are these just bumps in the road towards a reunion of the warring siblings on the 30th anniversary of their former band’s mega-seller, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?

Amid the mounting anticipation, the older Gallagher brother is releasing his fourth post-Oasis album. Excitement for these ventures has steadily decreased, to the extent that his new songs risk resembling minor celebrities who autograph-hunters rush past in pursuit of the A-listers in his repertoire, namely the Oasis hits. But Council Skies deserves better.

Its predecessor, 2017’s Who Built the Moon?, was a misfire that tried to shake up Gallagher’s songwriting with electronic beats. His new album returns to familiar territory. “I’m Not Giving up Tonight” is a chunky psychedelic anthem that opens with trippy percussion before finding its feet with stirring choruses. “Dead to the World” is an impressively dreamy ballad with a hint of Richard Hawley. Johnny Marr plays guitar on several tracks including bustling orchestral rocker “Open the Door, See What You Find”.

The title track steps outside Gallagher’s comfort zone with a stiff-kneed tropicália beat, like a failed Brazilian import to his beloved Manchester City. But otherwise the quality is solid. Lyrics come across as either dashed-off (“I’m going to write you a song, it won’t take long”) or portentous (“Heavy is the head that wears a hollow crown”), although this isn’t exactly a failing. Words don’t have to be meaningful to work in a song.

That’s proved on this occasion with some of Gallagher’s most capable vocal performances. His muscularly romantic singing is an underrated feature of his work, overshadowed as it is by the charismatic tones of his needling younger sibling. While many of this album’s listeners would no doubt prefer him to relinquish the microphone to Liam, they should find enough diversion here in the meanwhile.

★★★☆☆

‘Council Skies’ is released by Sour Mash Records