Orphan Colours - King of Alchemy (2024) Hi-Res

While some suggested that Orphan Colours were a supergroup of the UK Americana scene when they formed out of the ashes of Noah and the Whale and Ahab in the mid-2010s, they have not followed the normal trajectory of that ‘60s phenomenon of disappointing musically and disbanding quickly. They released their debut album ‘All On Red’ in 2018 and it was nominated for the 2019 Americana UK Awards Album of the Year and toured the UK and Denmark. Things then went quiet on the Orphan Colours front until 2023 when singer Steven Llewellyn, ex-Ahab, and guitarist Fred Abbott, ex-Noah and the Whale went into the studio to create ‘King of Alchemy’ from recordings and demos going back to 2018. They have an eclectic group of guests helping them out including singers Beth Rowley and Francesca Belmonte, drummer John Maiden, the Black Jack Horns, the Gang of Four’s Jonny Finnigan, and Jack Reacher author Lee Child.

The band say they bring together rock, americana, and folk, which is what bands like Delaney & Bonnie were doing at the end of the ‘60s. The opening track ‘Temptress’ with its use of horns and freewheeling style brings to mind that iconic roots rock band. Though the horns are still there, ‘Free’ ups the rock quotient and the lead guitar. It’s not surprising that ‘Blame It On The Weather’ was chosen as the first track to be released from the album as chugging guitars propel a tune that shows that relationships can recover and develop with tolerance, Americana UK’s video feature on the track is here.

The title track ‘King of Alchemy’ also sets the tone for the whole album with its message of how individuals can transform and become better people, no matter where they start from. The guitars take on a country hue on ‘Always Spend The Days Running’ which bemoans the damage of a lack of commitment and purpose. ‘The Vibe’ shows what a good vocalist Steven Llewellyn is. Keyboards and acoustic guitar, with a little bit of George Harrison influenced electric guitar, frame ‘Brighter Days’. Power chords and horns abound on ‘Dreams of Sex and Violence’ which ponders the impact of the increasing prevalence of images and themes of sex and violence in modern society. The soundscape of ‘Wave’ does indeed ebb and flow over the listener. We are back in a more identifiable country style on the reflective ‘Radio Heart’. The album closer benefits from a vocal duet which brings out the poignancy in ‘Let You Go’.

After a positive start, Orphan Colours put their career on hold before deciding to reactivate it in 2023 with the completion of ‘King of Alchemy’ which includes music originating at the start of their career. They unashamedly wear their influences on their musical sleeves, but this doesn’t mean they don’t have their own sound. ‘King of Alchemy’ is well played with songs that reflect the range of their music. The band has some live dates arranged to promote ‘King of Alchemy’. Time will tell whether this activity is simply another activity blip or the re-start of a sustainable career. The Orphan Colours have the talent and the vision to establish their own identity and trajectory away from any claim that they are simply another supergroup. While they are making their minds up, ‘King of Alchemy’ is a fine placeholder, let’s hope it is not just a coda.