New Music:
Blinker the Star – Love Oblast
Major label alt rock mastermind turned turned high-end home studio rat Jordon Zadorozny released his 12th studio album under the name “Blinker the Star”, and the 7th completed at his 50 acre farmland “Skylark Park.” Originally conceived a DIY project in the 90’s, Blinker has become a consistent creative outlet for Jordon, alongside his numerous collaborations with numerous high profile artists as well as bands local to the Pembroke, Ontario region.
He spent one month on this album in total, but worked 10 hour days, with frequent breaks & mini-vacations to clear his creative headspace and prevent rural stir-craze.
A self-proclaimed breakup album, the mood on the record is anything but somber Zadorozny creates sounds that feel pinpoint accurate to their original idea, serving as a trustworthy blueprint for budding creatives for capturing and developing an idea. The sounds have a warm retro essence but are presented with a modern shine that feels like a logical improvement to the balance modern indie bands strive for.
The album opens up with with “Some Nights,” featuring the rawest acoustic guitar sound in a Blinker album since 1996’s Bourgeois Kitten – his first major label release. A slow and steady build, chorused guitar and tasteful use of vocal delay solidify this opener as a handsomely crafted fist-pumping banger.
Walk in the Park is a single-worthy jam – a simple and memorable bass hook with elaborately swirling retro synth orchestration, and a guitar solo just as memorable as the chorus.
A version of the album’s song “Touch” was originally released by the LA based collaborative DIY project “Digital Noise Academy’” in 2014 and slides deftly in the track list of Love Oblast. Jordon and Emmanuelle Boies sing the entire song in unison as a duet, with chord changes that shift chromatically in a way that keeps the listener slightly on edge, but resolves reliably.
Bends You Like a Plaything has a tastefully infectious arcade-style synth hook that drives the whole tune and the next two tracks, 8 of Hearts and Lord John have a distinct snarl and attitude that make way for the latter part of the album to marinate. Better Keep Running closes the album off with a cool, understated drive and hand to pavement attitude.
Jordon has always had a way of paying homage to his musical heroes in an artistically truthful and respectable way. He has his own distinct and unique voice, yet doesn’t compromise the integrity of an idea for the sake of experimentation. His voice echoes the same fresh and bright “light in the darkness” quality as it always has. Jordons production choices always emphasize precision and clarity, and both the synth sounds & pop orchestration on this album live up to Jordon’s astronomical bar he’s set for himself through his career.
We had the pleasure of interviewing Jordon before this album’s release:
Finality Radio 