A rousing single from London-based quartet The Bloodstreams, “Parliament of Magpies” presents an inventive rock sound that critiques the ruling classes’ immoralities and exploitation of power. Written in response to May’s General Election announcement, a blend of post-punk, art-rock, and alternative provide an apt stylistic fitting for lyrics filled with angst and frustration — “Screw us all you like but blow a kiss when you leave.”
Sturdy guitar distortion and illuminated organs drive into a fervent vocal presence, bolstered by sporadic backing reflections. “Take it from the bottom, put it on the top,” a delectably eerie sequence, traversing seamlessly into the title-referencing hook, capped off by a bluesy swell of guitars and organs. The lead vocals’ Jagger-esque inflection makes for ample vigor, and the loose-flowing vocal interactions echo a sort of Scary Monsters ’80s nostalgia. A caressing, psych-inclined turn around 01:25 showcases the act’s dynamic range, fully excelling in that structural/tonal switch-up. “Parliament of Magpies” is a resonating success from The Bloodstreams.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
