Brand new album from Blindness & Light

Blindness & Light doesn’t operate like a normal band and nor has it ever attempted to. Spread across Anglesey, Yorkshire and locations in between, with additional contributors in Japan and Argentina, the project exists as an ever-changing collective brought together by a shared creative energy as opposed to fixed membership. Driving the endeavour is Colin M Potter, whose songwriting, vocals and guitar work provide the platform for a musical world built on collaboration, independence and the freedom to create without limitations.

The project initially intended to release just a one-off single but over time its bloomed into a prolific artistic vehicle, showing that some of the most rewarding projects arise without rigid plans. A steadfast independent spirit defines everything Blindness & Light does and while based primarily across North Wales and North-West England, the collective embraces a way of working that allows different musicians to appear whenever the songs call for them.

The group’s musical inspirations reach back to the post punk stylings of Liverpool and Manchester throughout the 80s and 90s, taking cues from bands such as The Wedding Present, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Wild Swans, Joy Division and The Smiths. Within those influences sits an even earlier spark stretching towards The Velvet Underground and 60s garage music, resulting in songs that balance melodic appeal with reflective writing and textured guitar work. Over the past year Blindness & Light has entered an especially productive period, releasing several singles alongside the album I Dreamt I Had Insomnia before returning with its brand new third full-length record titled Our Man From Fife.

The eight-track release feels like another impressive step forward for the collective, expanding its sound while remaining personal in its subject matter. The album also welcomes an impressive collection of collaborators; Mike Ryan contributes additional vocals to both the title track and “Still Lost In The Delta Of Venus”, while Andy Gordon brings mandolin to “Ill Omens”. Henry Priestman adds Farfisa keyboard to opening track “Fly Paper” with Rob Griffiths supplying bass on the same song.

Opening number “Fly Paper” introduces the album’s interest in blurred perspectives and on the surface it explores the dynamics of a dysfunctional relationship where responsibility becomes increasingly difficult to untangle. Beneath that metaphor is a wider reflection on political blocs and global dysfunction, posing an unsettling question about power and manipulation wrapped up in a grooving slice of pop-inflected indie rock cut with bright instrumentation, driving rhythm and instantly memorable melodic hooks.

“What Else?”, co-written with Andy Gahan, examines the desire to become the person hidden beneath accumulated experiences, imagining the possibility of resetting life entirely and beginning again with new purpose. Flowing with the laid back rustle of drums and pulse of bass, Colin’s expressive voice, lifted by backing vocal harmonies float above with smooth melodies as twanging guitar chords and lightly gritty lines flow alongside their voices.

The emotional centre arrives with the title track, “Our Man From Fife,” a song inspired by the rapid decline and eventual passing of Colin’s father. The song ponders on helplessness, inevitability and loss, with his father, the man from Fife in Scotland, remaining central to Blindness & Light’s story and the entire record is dedicated to him in recognition of the encouragement that helped make the project possible. Gliding with the steady patter of drums, shimmering instrumentation and elegant vocal performance, it’s a charming musical moment that’s meaningful and catchy in equal measure.

“Terminal Velocity” captures the sensation of falling towards disaster without escape, while “Ill Omens” wrestles with the inevitability of death before discovering that approaching the end can renew appreciation for life itself. Memory also plays a significant role, with “Still Lost In The Delta Of Venus” functioning simultaneously as a coming-of-age story and a reflection on music itself.

“Just A Few Milligrams” confronts the rise of the far right through an anti-racist message built around a simple biological fact that the difference between black and white skin is defined by only a few milligrams of melanin. Closing with the shoegaze textures of “One Big Sun,” the record ends by imagining hope for humanity before grounding itself with a reminder to focus on improving the world that already exists. With the shuffle of trip hop style rhythms and immersive arrangement, the finale rolls with brooding atmosphere as hazy vocal layers hover through a wholly absorbing soundscape to deliver an incredible conclusion to the stellar new album from Blindness & Light.

Listen to Our Man From Fife below