Blue Lights on the Runway

Irish band Bell X1 is back with the ambitious and cutting Blue Lights on the Runway. Their second album on Yep Roc Records, BLOTR belies a synth-based metamorphosis for the group Paste Magazine called, "one of Ireland's greatest bands." The central creative trio of Paul Noonan, Dave Geraghty and Dominic Phillips retained the melody-focused approach of their first album but expanded their sound through the addition of glitchy electronic nuances ("The Ribs of a Broken Umbrella") crunching, prominent guitars ("Breastfed") and glittery art pop ("The Great Defector"). Noonan's gorgeous ballad "Light Catches Your Face" anchors the work, exemplifying the emotional gamut fans have come to expect from the versatile rockers.