Our Review: Liam Gallagher John Squire

I’ve listened to probably thousands of hours of Liam Gallagher and John Squire’s music, and would have thought I could have guessed with pinpoint precision what an album they’d make together would sound like. What I’ve listened to today is something completely different, and so much more than I could have hoped.

After hearing ‘Just Another Rainbow’, you thought you could start to piece together what this project was going to be. Liam was Liam; another incredible vocal, kind of in-the-sky, kind of pointed and angry like always, but with this new layer that felt connected with the Roses, with Hendrix, and all the influences that make John Squire a one-in-a-million guitarist and songwriter. More so with ‘Mars to Liverpool’, the picture was becoming clearer, with a hit single that could have been a Radio One A-lister for The Seahorses, or equally a number one for Liam’s solo career. Beyond that though, there’s something more. You’re hearing on this new album, a depth and quality of songwriting, and connection with the music, that hasn’t been heard from Liam since Oasis.

John Squire appears born to write for Liam, there’s something in his lyrics (which I happen to love, colours and rainbows and all…), alongside that hard vs soft layer that always made Liam so unique. The stone vs roses, and Stones vs Beatles to it all. There are some hard things on this album; ‘You’re Not The Only One’ sounds like the heaviest thing the Stones or Black Crows would have done, and has shades of ‘Bring The Light’. ‘I’m A Wheel’, which features what will likely be the last time you’ll hear guitar playing of this quality on a mainstream record, is like heavy-tar blues. Liam’s voice is shredded, like 95/96 era Liam vocals. It will sound enormous live!

The softer, more melodic, and colourful side of the album is where it hits its peak though. Everyone has read a lot about ‘Mother Nature’s Song’, but honestly, this is the standout tune on the whole album. I’d put it with anything Squire or Liam have ever released after just a few listens. There’s something so personal to them both in this, with ridiculously beautiful guitar lines throughout, but there’s definitely a soulfulness to Liam’s voice that makes it feel like he wrote it. That was always what made Oasis, the fact that Liam could sing these songs Noel had written, but make them feel like they were his own. As much as I have liked a lot of his solo output, there’s always been that element missing for me. There seemed to be missing that connection between him and the songs, which for the first time since 2008 is evident on every single song on this album, but none more so than the album closer.

I had huge expectations for this album, my favourite guitarist, my favourite singer, but honestly, after devouring the two singles for a couple of months now, and having listened to this album back-to-back three times in a row, I feel they’ve delivered something truly special. The live gigs, perfectly pitched at the right venues are going to be all-timers. For all the amazing gigs, and songs on his solo run, it would be great to think that Liam leaves that parked for the time being to see where this new road with John Squire can go. I think a second album could be even better as they find their rhythm live.

This is a really special album, and we should feel lucky to still have music like this to get excited about.