TRACK REVIEW: In the Heat of the Moment by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds

After his turbulent fallout with former band Oasis, Noel Gallagher introduced himself to the world as a solo artist. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds’ was his brand, and their eponymous debut the voice behind it. The much anticipated record was a rebuttal of sorts, to the first post-Oasis split project Beady Eye, led by younger brother/rival Liam Gallagher. High Flying Birds, though, seems to have been taken way more seriously than the latter, and it proved Noel could do better on his own, singing his own songs. After all, he was the main songwriter in his former group.

Noel promised a follow up to the record, and 3 years after his debut, he has fulfilled his promise through the recently released In the Heat of the Moment. The track is the first single off his forthcoming record Chasing Yesterday, expected to be out in March 2015. Don’t expect the words behind the tune to mean much, though; Noel himself has previously stated that he often just writes nonsensical words that sound well together, and it seems to work well for him (Champagne Supernova, anyone?). The announcement of the single and album was accompanied by some upcoming tour dates, with several shows around the UK, Ireland and Europe, and indicates that there will be future dates in Japan, as well as in North America.

The tune, produced by Gallagher (as well as the rest of the record), is a sharp and bouncy. The verses are where the gold is at, and its chorus, while brief, is concise enough to keep the song together. The “na-na-na” bit is a bit awkward, but it settles after a few listens. Noel’s solid vocals and the groovy and slightly psychedelic atmosphere delivered through the production are what keep the song together. While objectively simple and brief, In the Heat of the Moment has the Gallagher wit and character to keep it from falling into dangerous and predictable territory, and it will surely keep his audience patiently waiting for Chasing Yesterday.

Tour dates:

03 March – Belfast, Odyssey Arena
04 March – Dublin, 3Arena
06 March – Nottingham, Capital FM Arena
07 March – Glasgow, The SSE Hydro
09 March – Manchester, Arena
10 March – London, The O2
12 March – Paris, Zenith
14 March – Milan, Fabrique
16 March – Berlin, Max-Schmeling-Halle
17 March – Copenhagen, Store Vega
19 March – Dusseldorf, Mitsubishi Electric Halle
20 March – Utrecht, Tivolivredenburg
22 March – Brussels, Ancienne Belgique

Check Noel Gallagher’s website for more news and info.