Neon Radiation – Neon Radiation III

Neon Radiation – Neon Radiation III – Album Review

As “I Need Darkness” kicked things off, I noticed two main things.  The first was that Neon Radiation continues to find excellent ways to stay current and modern in terms of what’s out there on playlists, which has always been true of this Electro-based project.  The second was that the sound itself was drifting further towards a much darker, nearly neo-gothic type of vibe, which you’ll likely find is a common element that bonds a lot of this material together.  “I Need Darkness” combines a colorful D&B core with brighter elements of piano, stunning guitar from Gordon Stockley that are set perfectly in the distance…it’s an effective opener once it swings into full gear.  The vocals continue to be one of the most significant standout elements in the music Neon Radiation creates, and the attention to detail in the production from Gary Blake will never let you down.  It’s got a bit of a gradual build to its design, but once it finds its footing, “I Need Darkness” serves its purpose as the gateway into Neon Radiation III.

“I’ve Seen Too Much” has some really fantastic sounds swirling in the mix, and when the beat kicks in, you feel this one deep in your chest.  Neon Radiation III ends up with a fairly chill beginning between its first two songs, opting for a strategy and sound that allows the album to have the opportunity to grow and expand, rather than putting all its most powerful material right upfront like so many artists and bands tend to do.  There’s obviously some risk in that of course…the public’s attention spans has become ever so limited in scope/patience…but…I do think that within a couple of spins of this record that listeners will probably discover that “I’ve Seen Too Much” is a pretty irresistible tune, even if they weren’t as sure about that from their first impression.  I’m included in that assessment mind you – but I’ve long maintained that when many of our favorite artists and bands can put out something new, it doesn’t always grab you as much as you might think it would at first, because it comes with so many expectations and hope attached to a new release.  Once you kind of relax, get accustomed to it, and give it the proper love it deserves, you’ll find the material quickly grows on you, and soon enough you practically feel like you can’t live without it.  That’s how I feel about “I’ve Seen Too Much” when it comes right down to it…I approached it with caution on that first spin or two, and by the time I got around to writing this review for you now after a week’s worth of listening or so, I need this song at the top of my playlists!  Really dig the beat that Blake has put into this cut, and the main vocal hook is outstanding.

Maybe it’s a matter of Neon Radiation III being a more intentionally designed stylistic album than we’ve heard in the past…maybe that’s the key to understanding it.  It’s not just a collection of great shiny Pop tunes…it’s more of an attempt to shift the whole arc of the sound’s story.  As I alluded to earlier, it’s darker, especially sound-wise in its first handful of songs, which will clearly appeal to those out there that particularly enjoy that kind of vibe.  No harm there of course, but it does feel like a more tailored sound than we’ve heard from Neon Radiation in the past as opposed to its generally more universal style.  “As The Crow Flies” is probably one of the most noticeable tracks that separates the present from the past in that respect.  If there was a track on the record that I felt like I went back and forth with the most, it’s definitely “As The Crow Flies” by a country mile.  In fact, I don’t think I spent too much time at all debating any other song by comparison, in terms of what appeals to me personally.  I don’t know that I can say with confidence that I ever really came around to love “As The Crow Flies,” but I do appreciate some of the details it possesses.  More-so than any of the hooks, or even the vocals in this particular cut, I felt like the music and production deserved the biggest shout-out here for the attention to detail it has.

While a darker sound can certainly possess its own allure for sure, it can also be tougher to argue that the material has that colorful & energetic spark that tends to fully draw in the masses – that’s why I’ve been saying that Neon Radiation III has a more tailored sound, because it seems to be more artistically ambitious than it is conscious of creating easy to digest hooks…at least at first.  That’s not to say the hooks are absent, they’re not…they’re just sunk in deeper this time around, and likely appeal to those that do like a darker sound…simple as that really.  Considering that’s the direction that Gary chose to take with these tunes specifically, it’s kind of a double-edged sword of hitting the mark of his intentions, but also becoming more of a specific vibe that dials back the more universal elements we’ve become so accustomed to from the music of Neon Radiation.  “Shed My Skin” has some excellent color added into it through the vocals of Manu and a brilliant performance from guest-star Kelly O on the horns, but I’d probably concede that this track still feels a little on the thin side beyond that.  I really love the pairing of the digital world meeting the analog one in this tune…again, it’d be the music that steals the show for me on this track more-so than it would be any of the hooks, but hey, whatever brings you back for another listen, right?  I’m never going to make a substantial complaint against any song unless it’s fully devoid of a reason to return, and “Shed My Skin” still has plenty of reasons to come back for another round.  The brass is the clear winner here…Kelly O puts in an award-worthy performance if you ask me.

Sometimes I like to read the press releases and comments that come along with a record while I’m listening, even if I rarely tend to agree with most of what comes my way.  For instance, “Hidden Talents” came with a quote that says “Neon Radiation comes one step closer to achieving his quest to create the perfect Pop song” – and c’mon y’all…that’s just offensive, ain’t it?  What Neon Radiation needs to do is acknowledge the FACT that it’s already achieved that goal way back in 2018 with the release of “Underdog” and stop being so hard on itself!  I bring this up in almost every review I write on this project at some point, but this time I was left with no choice Gary…you brought this on yourself my friend.  It’s so extremely rare that a perfect Pop song is ever created, yet this man is one of the precious few that have ever done it!  Of course I’m going to come to the defense of “Underdog” – it’s still one of the best songs I’ve ever heard since reviewing music here at sleepingbagstudios over the past fourteen years, full stop.  Now – if we’re talkin’ about the superb quality of “Hidden Talents,” you’ll find no arguments against it from me – I would tell you that this IS one of the best songs I’ve heard from Neon Radiation since my favorite from back in 2018.  Don’t get it twisted, there have been plenty of amazing tunes in between these two points of measurement…but when you know, you know.  It didn’t take me more than fifteen seconds to realize that I was listening to something that would be extraordinarily special with “Hidden Talents,” and I’m proud to report I was right.  If Gary was feeling inclined to release one of his remix EPs, I’d definitely be taking a good long look at this particular track, because it’s got a ton of potential to live several lives in that same way “Underdog” once did.  As to whether or not Neon Radiation got the maximum effect outta this current version…honestly, I don’t know.  If it isn’t already at full strength, it’s bloody hard to tell…I’ve already spun this track more than the rest of the tunes on the record by a fair margin…that much I know.  It’s hard to say when I love so freakin’ much about this song as it is right now, but part of me wonders if there’s still another 10% left off the table here somewhere somehow too.  I guess it comes down to not being as sure about the bridge and…what is that…like…a subtle ABBA-esque synth line at the core of that part?  Being the musically-greedy person that I am though, believe me when I tell ya, I’ll take what I can get and there is nothing so detrimental that would stop me from saying this is easily one of the album’s best.  As far as what’s memorable is concerned, there is no song on Neon Radiation III that can compare to what you’ll find in the blissful hooks in this cut – this is the truly universal vibe we love in this project.  A moment of ABBA-like comparison be damned, this song is irresistible y’all.

Brightening things up pays off big time for Neon Radiation in the middle of this record.  With “Hidden Talents” somewhat snapping the music outta the darkness for a moment, it opens the door for songs like “Deep Sea Dreams” to follow, which is another undeniable gem loaded up with accessible sound.  Do I like it more than “Hidden Talents” became the question I was trying to figure out the answer to…and I might have to go with a commendable tie.  I think there are pieces of each song that could make each cut my favorite from the record, and it took several spins to finally come to a conclusion as to which song had the edge overall…and we’ll get to that.  What I can confirm without question, is that between these two songs, you’ll find Neon Radiation III thriving at its best where most albums tend to start to sag right in the middle of a lineup.  I’m always going to side with “Hidden Talents” having the most memorable hook of any track on this album, but I could hear an argument to “Deep Sea Dreams” being considered to be a more complete/balanced song overall if we’re all being objective I suppose.  I might personally be addicted to the hook in “Hidden Talents” more than the air I breathe, but “Deep Sea Dreams” really isn’t all that far behind.  It’s got a more subtle magic to it…a sleepier energy to it in how it moves & such…but man, this track really sparkles & shines with all the beautiful stuff you wanna hear.

“Sometimes (The Bad Guys Win)” you say, eh Gary?  Heck…I’d tell you that we’re in the part of the timeline in human history where they ALWAYS seem to win…and man is that depressing to think about.  “Sometimes” seems optimistic from my perspective at this point in time, so I’ll just move on.  Solid song though…this cut kind of meets us in the middle between the darker and more accessible sounds that Neon Radiation has been putting out.  Did I have a harder time making the adjustment back?  Yes!  Yes I did, but that’s okay…it happens.  That has nothing to do with “Sometimes (The Bad Guys Win)” being a bad song, and way more to do with it coming after a back-to-back set of some of Neon Radiation’s undeniable best.  Every time I reach the transition into the beat that comes into play around the first minute and second minute, I’m convinced this track belongs in the conversation about the best material on this album as well.  Do I want a bit more of that energy in here?  Yes!  Yes I do.  In many ways, I think “Sometimes (The Bad Guys Win)” might have benefitted from starting at full strength rather than building to that, you know what I mean?  It’s kind of one of those tunes that would benefit from the Dave Grohl method of writing a verse, then writing a chorus, then scrapping the verse to replace it with the chorus, and then writing another chorus to take it up a notch even further.  I don’t mind the verses in this song at all, but I’d readily admit they kinda pale in comparison to the powerful allure in the hooks.

I find “I Am A Robot” extremely interesting.  The first thing that hit me was the lyrics, which I loved – they reflect a very mechanical, automated feeling that many of us share throughout the drone of what everyday life can often be if we let that creep in too much.  Clearly it doesn’t HAVE to be that way, but there’s no doubt that what Gary’s penned to this tune is highly relatable.  The second thing that hit me, was that I didn’t quite love the melodic pattern of the verses at first…it seemed a bit on the obvious side – but then like, when you consider the theme and whatnot, shouldn’t a more static design be the case?  So then it seemed like a totally appropriate fit to me in that clever songwriting type of way.  Even if I didn’t completely love that particular pattern to the melody, it seemed like the right call to have made to reflect what the lyricism and song are about…so I’m cool with that.  We all like what we like and we love what we love…personal tastes are always an uncontrollable variable – all I ever want from the artists and bands I’m listening to is to do right by their material and go where the song is taking them, and I felt like “I Am A Robot” hit the target in that regard.  There’s no doubt that it’s a pleasant listen – it still has plenty to offer your ears beyond a clever, insightful, and relatable concept – it IS quite catchy.  I really liked the backing vocals and harmonies at the heart of the melody in this song, that’s what worked most for me, but I’d certainly acknowledge its whole concept as being impressive in regards to the craft.

As I’m told through the notes scattered across my dusty desk, “Reality Bites” is a reflection of where the sound of Neon Radiation is rumored to go in the future to follow.  No huge objections from me there I suppose…but I’d probably tell ya that it’s the music that steals the whole show on this particular track.  I do like what the vocals are doing, but in comparison to the hooks you’ll find in the music, especially when the low-end kicks in with the synth bass-line added in…I mean, c’mon y’all…you’d have to be at a complete flatline not to appreciate the spectacular rhythm and groove that creates in this song.  So if that’s what Gary’s referring to as being part of the direction of the music to come, sign me up, I’m here for it.  So many of us listeners can easily get caught up in what a singer is adding to a song that it will often overshadow what’s happening in the music behind them (sorry to all of you music makers out there, it’s just the reality of human nature)…and Blake is such an exceptional talent that allowing his tunes to share a bit more of the spotlight through the extraordinary hooks he creates in the music could only ever be a good thing.  “Reality Bites” has got a more noticeably distant, somewhat cold/mechanical vibe to it, but it’s not without appeal whatsoever.  Is it the right direction to shift the sound towards?  Time will tell.  I ain’t here to pass judgements on what the future holds for Neon Radiation, I can only tell you what I’m currently hearing.  If anything, I’m always going to argue on behalf of Gary’s ability to create more of his most universal vibes like what we hear on “Hidden Talents” and “Deep Sea Dreams,” but I do like what I hear in “Reality Bites” & think there’s always a benefit in him giving the music space.

A close cousin of the themes explored on “I Am A Robot,” the record’s conclusion of “Flesh Wound,” kind of from the opposite perspective, gives the concept a more identifiable human element to it.  I do think there’s always a lot to appreciate in the restless lyrics in Gary’s tunes…he’s always very grounded in what he wants to communicate, and I feel like there are a ton of people out there that would feel the same way he’s feeling in so many of his songs.  The perennial “Underdog,” if you will – he’s the kind of guy you root for to succeed and hope that he’ll get to wherever it is he wants to go, though I think it’s probably fair to say he’s also not the kind of guy that’ll ever be truly satisfied no matter how much he achieves.  That’s the impression I get from him, and assuming that’s true, it’s something I’d admire about him too…I always want to reach for that next level and would only hope the same for all of you as well.  A solid finale that’s understated, but completely beautiful no matter how you examine it, from the music to the microphone, “Flesh Wound” finishes off Neon Radiation III with one of its strongest tracks.  This will forever be one of the names I always look forward to being back on our site here, and certainly on my playlists – if you’re not familiar with Neon Radiation by now, the best advice I’ve got for you is to get familiar…the consistency in the quality of sound and ideas has always been there like it is here once again.  Gary’s a gifted man and a musical visionary…we all need more Neon Radiation in our world.

Neon Radiation III gets its official release on the 27th this month…until that magical day arrives, make sure to stay connected and find out more about Neon Radiation from the official websites below!

Bandcamp:  https://neonradiation.bandcamp.com

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/neon-radiation

Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/artist/1F59MfIZRRrFIB3XAo5IO6

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZbi-KXrhgTcWPwG-rPXarQ

X:  https://x.com/neonradiation

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