6 days ago
Album Review: Blue Fish Diamond, Radio Silence
Blue Fish Diamond returns with their third record, Radio Silence, an evocative, socially charged collection that sees them sharpen both their sound and their message.
Opening with the propulsive 'Servants To The Hand,' the band immediately sets its political stall out with lyrics such as 'History repeats like a bad disease.' Over subtle electric guitar lines and organ swells, the track becomes a rallying cry for those disillusioned by fear-driven politics, a theme that recurs throughout.
The production, courtesy of Gavin Glass, brings polish and emotional clarity to an album that often juxtaposes the personal with the political.
Planet Blue is a jazzy, bass-driven highlight, weaving in news soundbites from Greta Thunberg and Donald Trump amid a haunting crescendo. It's an ambitious piece that captures the global anxiety around climate change without feeling didactic.
Elsewhere, heartbreak and human connection take centre stage. Tonight is a stripped-down love song that draws strength from Murphy's understated delivery, while One More Chance, fronted by Matilda O'Mahony, channels Broadway theatricality with sweeping strings and a soaring vocal performance.
Musically, Radio Silence never overreaches. There's a clear through-line to influences like Paul Simon and Lou Reed, especially in the more intimate, spoken-sung passages.
The title track is a dreamy standout as it balances reflection and regret with elegance and seems tinged with some shades of Pink Floyd at times.
Although a few moments drift into familiar territory, the band's ability to shift gears – from folk balladry to the post-punk rush of the excellent 'I Don't Know' – keeps things feeling fresh.
Radio Silence is a rich, thought-provoking listen and proof that Blue Fish Diamond is crafting something special.
