However, Blacklight hops to their previous desires easily. The passage of time could mean that this is DSA Mark II. All songs share a skilful shot of psychedelia, yet rather than succumbing fully to the avant-rock path, they possess an admirable common touch. ‘Ready’ presents a sumptuous autumnal track, smooth, sleek and defiantly commercial. ‘Don’t Look Back’ has a delightful late night swoon that is warm and spirited displaying heart in abundance.
‘Downtown Star’ is a synth-pop gem with hints to gleeful bubble gum glam pop. ‘Learning To Fly’ features chipper lyrics and veers close to City Calm Down territory, charming and fresh but with a splash of melancholia informed by age. ‘Outlaw’ is a pleasant juxtaposition to ‘Some Of Us’, the latter peaking with a sunshine-soaked psychedelia wig-out worthy of. ‘Some of us make our own way’ rings out as keyboards swirl around and drums crash. It could have descended into the murkiness of paranoia, but rather turns into a triumph of quite some standing.
Blacklight grasps at some good concepts and should lead to some communal jubilation with hummable choruses and tough ambition, abstract poetry glueing everything into a satisfying whole. It appears that DSA have a willingness to push the envelope which should lead to a far greater profile. Deservedly so.
