The Wheel
Self-Released, 2021
8/10
The 2021 release from George Grant’s Black Rose Burning outfit, these 12 songs bring plenty of galactic post-rock ideas into energetic and exciting arrangements.
The firm drumming of the bright “An Anthem For The Strange” opens the listen with Grant’s soaring voice amid the dark yet dreamy climate, and “Black Fun Saturday” follows with Grant’s bass acrobatics adding a hint of playfulness to the flowing delivery.
Halfway through, “Antonia” flirts with goth tendencies amid the meticulous drumming via Luis Infantas’ capable hands, while “Automatic Man” approaches New Wave nods, where no lack of melody is present alongside the radiant singing.
The buzzing title track arrives near the end, and carries a hint of intimacy meshed with the post-punk tendencies, and “Solar Angels” exits with a noisy versus tuneful formula that sounds reminiscent of the ‘80s, but sure suits today’s ominous side of indie-rock, too.
If synthwave, post-punk, and goth-esque songwriting are anywhere near your interests, Black Rose Burning could be your new favorite thing.
Travels well with: Black Rose Burning- Ad Astra; Harry Stafford- Bone Architecture