Following the success of his first debut solo album, Flamingo, when news broke that Brandon Flowers – lead singer of one of the best bands of the 21st Century, The Killers – would release another solo album, the music world went into hysteria.
Despite having commercial success with his previous album, something was missing. Flamingo was about distancing oneself from the magic that The Killers brought and more about “I’m on my own now”. The Desired Effect reflects a new Brandon Flowers, a man who isn’t afraid to borrow influence from some of his previous work with The Killers. The typical Killers synth, slightly 80’s sound is apparent in ‘Can’t Deny My Love’. The song takes you on a familiar love story of breaking up and getting back together, infusing this familiar narrative with a great 80’s twist – one that we love.
Listening to the album, you get a sense that this record has been long coming. The track ‘Between Me and You’ kicks the album skywards, with an upbeat tone to this love song. An extremely 80’s deep song ‘I Can Change’ sounds like The Pet Shop Boys came round to Flowers house for a quick brew and ended up co-writing the song. Scratch that, it sounds like they co-wrote the whole album. Flowers takes us on an 80’s journey, reminding us that the 80’s wasn’t all Madonna and neon glory. The album, in its own right, is modern day 80’s. It’s like throwing together all the good sounds of the 80’s with the typical indie sounds of today and giving them a good mix together.
The album is full of life. Not one song sounds the same. Of course we have that redundant use of a funky keyboard being pressed and Flowers’ groove flooded voice, yet each song tells a different story. Listening to ‘Lonely Town’ you have a very typical Flowers sound, very 2000, very normal. Half way through the song and BANG Flowers’ voice has a vocal change into one that could be described as Daft Punk/Funky sound. This is a side to Mr Flowers that we have never seen before. Flowers is simply a mature, experienced singer who isn’t afraid to break the boundaries when creating another solo album. It’s hard to skip a song on this album, and no, not because I’ve just ran out of Spotify skips. All ten songs on the album have very different tones yet all link together through that brilliant 80’s sound. Even ‘Dreams Come True’ which sounds like it belongs in a Walt Disney Parade will keep you listening through the whole song.
Despite the lack of commercial build up to the album, this album is one you have to listen to whether you’re a fan of The Killers, a fan of Brandon Flowers or just a fan of some bloody good 80’s sounds. The album does what is says on the cover, it gives you the desired effect, a brilliant come back from Mr Brandon Flowers.
The Desired Effect, the second solo album by Brandon Flowers, is released 18th May. You can catch Brandon Flowers on his UK Tour that starts 21st May at O2 London.
Words by Brigid Harrison-Draper
@BrigidHD1