Public Service Broadcasting make a welcome return with ‘The Last Flight’, an album based around the achievements and final journey of Amelia Earhart – the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In 1937, Amelia intended to circumnavigate the globe but after leaving Papua New Guinea, she never made it to Howland Island, confirming her legendary status as one of the bravest adventurers.
Album opener ‘I Was Always Dreaming’ begins with a spoken-word sample by actor Kate Graham in the role of Amelia repeating its title. This is wrapped up in genteel piano notes and atmospheric effects. ‘Towards the Dawn’ follows with news reports being delivered against intense drums and synths that have the spirit of The Flaming Lips: ‘I have the feeling there is just about one good flight left in me’. ‘The Fun of It’ has a similar impactful statement at its heart – ‘I do it because I want to, I do it for the fun of it’ – being delivered by guest singer Andreya Casablanca against an Antonoff-esque blast of alt pop.
‘The South Atlantic’ has a foreign news report clipping with Kate Stables of This is the Kit adding her folky tones over more laid-back sounds: ‘Try to aim higher, further, lower’. ‘Monsoons’ has talk of thunder amidst chunky, stomping almost glam-rock riffs, while ‘A Different Kind of Love’ has Broken Social Scene vibes as EERA takes on Amelia pining for her loved ones as she realises this may be her final flight: ‘I wish you were here. You’d enjoy so much of it’. ‘Howland’ closes the album in style. It’s almost 9 minutes of slow-building post rock with strings and glockenspiel thrown into the mix that leaves you breathless.
Get ready to take flight once again with Public Service Broadcasting… You won’t regret this journey, as tragic as it ends. for one second.