Marc Valentine - Future Obscure

Album review by; Kayleigh

Marc Valentine is continuing on his solo adventure with debut album 'Future Obscure'. The ten tracks feature pop rock hits that contain just a little hint of punk.

'Last Train Tonight' was the first single to come from Marc Valentine as a solo artist, released earlier this year the track introduced the world to Valentine's heavily pop influenced rock sound. Aside from this solo project you can also find Valentine as the frontman of cult British power-pop group Last Great Dreamers.

'Future Obscure' was produced by Dave Draper (The Professionals, Wildhearts. Ryan Hamilton) and the reflective pop album also sees collabs with Matt Dangerfield, Wreckless Eric and Karen Bell.

As mentioned before 'Last Train Tonight' was the first single released by Marc Valentine and it is also the first track on 'Future Obscure'. The track opens up the album with an upbeat energy that pretty much sticks for the entirety of the ten tracks. This one is a little repetitive feeling but fits Marc Valentine's sound.

The next three tracks on 'Future Obscure' are probably my favourite ones. 'Swiss Launderette' instantly brings things up even higher with a super catchy beat and a fun pop energy. This is one you could imagine dancing along to with your friends. Then comes 'Mornington Avenue' which could be my number one favourite on here. 'Mornington Avenue' has this sort of 2000's pop punk feeling to it and again is one you could easily dance along with. This one has been stuck in my head since I first heard it. Next 'Linear Slopes' comes rolling in, this one seems to lean more in a punk direction. I think compared to the others on the album this one feels like it draws your attention to the instruments within, especially the guitar line which with a little fuzz will quickly have you bopping along.

There are songs on here such as 'Fade Out in Blue' which are more chilled out or 'Arcades' that weren't particularly my cup of tea and I personally found them to be a little samey after a minute, but I think that's something I do like about this album, that there does seem to be different songs for different people. So, whether you want some higher energy feel good tracks, or something to just chill to 'Future Obscure' can give you both.

For me 'Future Obscure' is an album that grew on me. When I first started listening, I really wasn't sure but I gave it a chance and as the songs went on, I found myself getting more and more into what I was listening to. This is a fairly strong what I would call pop rock piece and Marc Valentine's distinctive vocals help 'Future Obscure' stand out. With nice storytelling lyricism and catchy beats overall, this is an album to check out.

3 out of 5

Tracklist;

Last Train Tonight

Swiss Launderette

Mornington Avenue

Linear Slopes

Fade Out in Blue

Break My Heart Anyway

Arcades

Broken Satellites

Ghosts of Amsterdam

Death Is Overrated

Find Marc Valentine online;

https://www.facebook.com/marcvalentinemusicartist

https://www.instagram.com/marcvalentine45/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Z_nObCQijCK8i6rEGM6FA