The Blinders – Columbia

Loosely based around the concept of “an alternate world informed by reality,” throughout Columbia, The Blinders offer a sultry and mysterious vibe

Album Review by Harriet Willis | 18 Sep 2018
Album title: Columbia
Artist: The Blinders
Label: Modern Sky UK
Release date: 21 Sep

Politically charged trio The Blinders have taken the UK music scene by storm. Not only did their track L’Etat C’est Moi get playlisted on BBC 6 Music, but they also landed a headline slot on the BBC Introducing stage at this summer's Reading & Leeds festivals. Needless to say, these boys are destined for success.

Columbia is loosely based around the concept of “an alternate world informed by reality.” You only have to watch their music videos and listen to the lyrics to understand their heavy literature and historical influences, not to mention the current political and economic woes of Britain.

In Where No Man Comes, George Orwell’s 1984 is brought to light with lyrics such as 'And two and two / And two make five,' something its readers will understand along with the following track title, Ballad of Winston Smith, referencing its protagonist. Aside from the underlying controversial topics and cleverly worded anger at the current climate, The Blinders offer a sultry and mysterious vibe to their sound that is carried throughout Columbia.

Free the Slave breaks up the flow for their own two minutes of hate. A spoken word segment filled with anger and annoyance that somehow ignites a fire within, encouraging an unearthly amount of energy in the listener.

A number of tracks possess a mellower atmosphere, Ballad of Winston Smith is exactly that – a ballad. Still maintaining the same politically engaged message and tone but with a much softer weight on the ear. Likewise, Orbit (Salmon of Alaska) perfectly closes the album with an anthemic melody that can only insinuate a grand finale.

Listen to: L’Etat C’est Moi, Hate Song, Brave New World

https://theblindersofficial.com/