“Parliament of Magpies” is the latest single by The Bloodstreams, an exceptional London-based quartet. It’s their second piece of work this year, arriving as an adequate follow-up to “Jagged Teeth,” another excellent song you should check out as soon as possible. Lyrically, “Parliament of Magpies” symbolizes the ruling class and their exploitations of power. Soundwise, The Bloodstreams primarily focus on the late seventies and early eighties post-punk sound but don’t be surprised if you stumble upon some other elements along the way. They incorporated some of the finest sonic ingredients borrowed from noise rock, alternative, avant-rock, and rock ‘n’ roll to uplift this outstanding composition on an entirely new level while remaining loyal to the primary sonic direction. Therefore, these experimentations with many different but complementary music styles resulted in a magnificent number that will appeal to anyone into post-punk sound.
As soon as you press play, you’ll immediately notice The Bloodstreams are not joking around with their music. “Parliament of Magpies” arrives with a perfect song structure, stacked with many segments and orchestration. You’ll hear how each vocal, sonic, and rhythmic maneuver plays a significant role in shaping such a rich and luxurious ambiance. “Parliament of Magpies” goes beyond all the post-punk aesthetics thanks to many carefully implemented instrumentations, a quality that will satisfy even the pickiest ears. The interplay between rhythm and lead guitar shapes a perfect backdrop for all the vocal articulations to shine upon. The tastefully assembled, generously distorted, abrasive riffs and chord progressions resonate on one side while the melodies and harmonies shine on the other. In the meantime, keyboards add more complexity by delivering psychedelic themes during almost every segment of the song. These experimentations go beyond comprehension all the time and they undoubtedly make The Bloodstreams a standout act on the contemporary post-punk scene.
Still, the magnificent vocal performance commands attention and guides the listeners on this ear-appealing sonic voyage, You’ll notice how all these vocal harmonies seamlessly balance between low, mid, and high notes, while the back vocals and singalong decorate and enhance particular moments. Also, it’s nearly mindblowing how the vocals and instrumentations match together harmoniously from scratch to finish. Of course, The Bloodstreams also thought about the rhythm section. You’ll notice how equally intricate, equally hearable, warm-sounding low-ends roar beneath all these instrumentations, offering more than necessary heaviness, clarity, and depths. The marvelous drumming propels this track to new heights with cleverly constructed, flawlessly performed, well-accentuated beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics. Besides dictating groove and tempo, the experienced drummer also keeps the remainder of the band in line.
“Parliament of Magpies” is a post-punk masterpiece worth repeating over and over again. With a comprehensive collection of brilliant ideas and orchestrations, The Bloodstreams has created a perfect example of how post-punk music should sound nowadays. From magnificent vocals and elaborate guitar work to complex keys, propelling basslines, and superb drumming, The Bloodstreams showcases all their creativity and power. The single is available on all streaming platforms. Don’t miss it!
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