Photo Credit: Riot Frames
Words: Abi Hawes

The View’s frontman Kyle Falconer is set to release his new album ‘Lovely Night of Terror’ on 27th March. Tracks include collaborations with big artists including Peter Doherty (The Libertines/Babyshambles), Dave McCabe (The Zutons), Justin Hawkins (The Darkness), Jamie Webster and The Lottery Winners. A fresh sound denominates this new album, making it noticeably different to Falconer‘s past works. The sound shows his strengths as a melodic songwriter while revealing a different side to his music.

This album puts aside Kyle‘s history and turns a new page particularly through collaborations with well-known artists.  This approach becomes evident within this album, making it certainly unique and refreshed.

The opening track, ‘Lovely Night of Terror, which is only short and striking, featuring the Scottish singers voice and an acoustic guitar.  This introduces his new album as something different to what the former view frontman has previously offered.

The next track, ‘Worlds Away‘ features Justin Hawkins of The Darkness. This track immediately sets the tone, its upbeat and catchy. This is the kind of song that will stay in your head long after listening to it.  This song highlights Falconer‘s fantastic and distinctive voice- one that became iconic through his work with his former band. However, while his voice remains timeless, there is a slight change in the type of music he’s making. 

Jamie Webster, an independent artist from Liverpool is the next artist to be introduced onto this album. The mix of both voices is powerful and continues the albums upbeat feel. The lyrics “I’m lost, you’re dead” conclude the song in a catchy way, while the dominating beat drives the track.

‘Lady Coachella‘ follows, which features the Leigh indie band The Lottery Winners. The song begins with fast-paced vocals and quickly showcases strong vocal ability.  The song title is repeated throughout the track. The layering of instruments adds depth to the tune. This puts together his brilliant song writing and singing skills alongside memorable riffs.

This run of incredible artists within this album adds to the sound, including a brilliant array of voices and talents.

Next, The Libertines and Babyshambles frontman, Peter Doherty is introduced onto the album with their song ‘Midas Touch’. This tune leans more towards pop, giving Doherty the chance to explore something different. As someone Falconer looked up to in the past, Doherty seemed like the perfect collaborator. This track sounds particularly different and results in something unexpected from both artists.  This song particularly creates a completely new sound that is distinguishable from either of their own sounds.

The album blends nostalgic indie sounds mixed with a more contemporary influence. Overall, the sound of the album is upbeat and positive. It shows the depth of Falconer‘s abilities as a songwriter. Known for songs such as ‘Same Jeans‘ and ‘Superstar Tradesman‘ with The View, the musician has stepped away from this earlier sound. 

The Zutons’ singer Dave McCabe is included on the track ‘Madness‘. Most of the album is catchy, this song is included in this. The positive lyrics matches the energy of the track perfectly. This song certainly highlights Kyle‘s capabilities and captures the positive message the album seems to withhold. McCabe‘s fits in naturally throughout the song, the merging of voices is seamless.

Though the album has a light mood and is fast paced, there is a slight shift on ‘Trace of Me‘. After exploring a more pop-influenced sound, this track brings the focus back to Falconer‘s raw sound. This song takes a slight step away from the instrument filled songs that the album has so far presented itself to have, stripping it back to just his voice alongside more basic instruments. The track includes a section that has just has vocals and his guitar and builds it back up with the rest of the instruments, which sounds particularly impressive. However, ‘Can’t Swim Again‘ returns to this more upbeat feel, including a mix of new instruments which is continues into ‘Ego‘. This track emphasises the albums evolving sound, incorporating electronic elements and effects.

The album closes with ‘Third Time Lucky‘, which opens with Falconer‘s voice almost isolated with a piano sound. The song progresses; it builds energy leading to a chorus that is clearly designed to be sung along to. This song is a strong closing track that captures the spirit of the album.

Overall, ‘Lovely Night of Terror’ presents a refreshing new sound from Kyle‘s as it blends nostalgic indie elements with contemporary pop sounds. Through including collaborations with a range of artists, Falconer proves that he is capable of evolving his music will maintaining his distinctive voice and songwriting which made him stand out in the past.