What is it about the Leeds music scene at the moment? It feels to be fit to burst with acts that seem on the verge of a breakthrough, especially those of a rock persuasion. One of those said acts are Blue Orchid Reaction.
By Graeme Smith
We’ve featured the four-piece of vocalist and guitarist Paul, vocalist and bassist Dominic, guitarist Matt, and vocalist and drummer Alex before. Their music appeared four times on our blog in 2024, starting with swaggering single Under These Skies. Three more singles were to follow – the celebration of little victories, Matt’s Got A Job, the dense reflection on the pandemic, Tiny House, and the layered Secrets Don’t Share Themselves.
Their latest, Walking In The Heaven, sees them go in an indie and Britpop direction. A marauding bassline sets the early running before being joined by a jangly riff. Things build nicely through the intro before we arrive at a verse that’s got plenty of passion. Lyrically, it talks about working, living and existing in someone else’s ideal world which can turn heaven into hell.
The track was pulled together with the legendary Mike Heaton from Embrace, and you certainly can feel to polish he’s put on it. It’s a highly accomplished record with lots of freshness as it bounces along. An accapella outro proves to be the icing on the cake, giving plenty of space to its catchy refrain.
It certainly proves to be their most memorable single to date. The band themselves call it: “a testament to our love for music and our journey as a band” and they “hope it resonates with everyone who listens to it.” It did with me, that’s for sure.
The Leeds music scene is booming and that’s all thanks to bands like Blue Orchid Reaction. They join the laundry list of acts from the city that I’ve shared in recent weeks – a list that includes the likes of Glass Frogs, Fools Arcade, about-faces, Kindelan, The Hope The Fear, Sleuth Gang, and Cole LC. Each bring their own unique voice to the Yorkshire party.
As for Blue Orchid Reaction, they’re showing us varied and evolving flavours of rock all tied together by their distinct sound and point of view. The reason I keep supporting their music is because I think they deserve to be heard. It’s just a bonus that they happen to be local.
Walking In The Heaven is out now and you can give it a listen below.
