Blackfield - V (2017) Lossless

There is music out there, being written for every mood, every feeling. Only a few artists are able to write things that touch the soul and mean something to the listener. Only a fewer still, are able to form a connection and cement their place in the pages of history. Singer-Songwriter Steven Wilson and Israeli rock singer Aviv Geffen have constructed something that has come to mean something very deep and poignant to me. Their latest effort ‘Blackfield V’ is an exploration into many different flavors of life that are instantly relatable and equally moving. The concept is loosely based on the ocean and cycle of life and that’s as much information as I am ready to divulge.
Each track is rich in melody and seems nostalgic of the progressive rock bands from the 70s. This record marks the reunion of Wilson and Geffen in equal measure and it is reflected in the sound and lyrical content. The album opens with an instrumental “A Drop in the Ocean” which is a soothing and soaring orchestral passage that flows into “Family Man” which brings Wilson to the forefront, singing in his signature style and instantly struck a chord with me. This sounded very close to his work with Porcupine Tree.
“We’ll Never Be Apart” and “Sorrys” features Aviv on vocals. He has a very raw and organic voice that has this unbelievably narrative quality to it that draws the listener to the world that is being painted. “Life is an Ocean” starts out a bit repetitive but then transforms into a huge anthem of sorts, so in a way, the listener is rewarded to hanging in there, but I think this song could have been a bit more dynamic. “Lately” is a straightforward rock number that does not pretend to be anything more than a simple rock song, but in my opinion, it could have been rawer and sharper. Having said that, the dynamic shift when the female vocals kick in add a different flavour.
A stand out track to me was “The Jackal” that features a sick blues riff Geffen doing an amazing job as nailing the narrative with his emotive voice. The chorus revisits familiar territories of mellow pop-rock sound with a Pink Floyd inspired solo. That leads into the somber instrumental called “Salt Water” which has an interesting position in the album and I feel as though it should have been placed a bit earlier in the track list. The album waves goodbye with two very important tracks. “Lonely Soul” has a very interesting interplay between the drums and bass. The moaning words “I’m a lonely soul” in a catchy melody carries the song forward and contrasted by very moving female leads singing “Everything is broken, everything is chaos” The last track “From 44 to 48” brings us back to Steven’s signature singing style supported by some soft and appealing soundscapes. It is a fitting end to a journey of an album.
This record does require multiple listens to sink in and while some songs may sound repetitive, there is enough interesting things going on within the sound to keep you hooked. Some songs just sound like a soundtrack to our life. ‘Blackfield V’ marks the return of two very bold and visionary musicians who consistently put out quality songwriting and performance chops. Pick this album and add it to your catalogue of must have music records.