’80s legends A Flock of Seagulls haven’t released new music for almost 30 years and are now back with a new album. How do they sound in 2024?
By Graeme Smith
Led by Mike Score, A Flock of Seagulls was a key component of the 1980s music scene, known for their striking hairstyles (Mike and bassist Frank Maudsley were hairdressers before turning to music) that came to epitomise ’80s fashion. Yet, behind the barnets, there was music, and their releases took them right into the mid-’90s.
Some Dreams is the first album of new material from Mike and Co. since 1995. A hiatus of that length might kill off most careers but with their new release, A Flock of Seagulls have got right back at it.
The album opens with its title track and we are at once greeted by a sound that pays reverence to their ’80s heyday while also giving us some modern edge. Mike hasn’t lost his charismatic voice. “Some dreams will never die,” he chants as the electronic pop rock instrumental slowly builds. It’s a hypnotic start.
The gentle ballad Him follows, giving us some contrast in terms of pace and mood. The vocal takes on a soulful quality during a pleading verse before we arrive at a memorable chorus that speaks of betrayal complete with echoing guitar interlude.
Elsewhere Castles In The Sky takes things in an acoustic direction with its tale of hopeful desires, Lovers and Strangers is a driving power ballad that captures the essence of the album, speaking of the light and dark of love. You’re A Fool is low and moody while All To You throws off the doubt with a passionate confession.
Valley Of Broken Dreams dives head first into synth pop with a vibrant and groovy number. We Want It Back Again combines distorted vocals with a looping rhythm and philosophical lyrics. Got To Get To You brings some late album rock and funk before Perfect completes the album in sweet fashion with bright storytelling and a sultry groove.
I must confess, I wasn’t old enough to truly appreciate Flock Of Seagulls back in the ’80s so it’s great to be experiencing some new material of theirs as a (slighty) more mature adult. There’s a powerful simplicity to their new album that means it has a lot of replay value. It’s perfect for the hopeful romantics out there.
Some dreams was produced by Mike Score, Mikal Read and Sara Havlicek, and was recorded at Loop Studio Liverpool, Loop Studio, Florida, Toykorama Studio, Slovenia, and in Los Angeles. It’s out now and you can give it a listen below.