PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING Vinyl & CDs

Review: Some 15 years on from the release of their debut recordings, Public Service Broadcasting hit album number five, The Last Flight, a lightly conceptual affair inspired by the story of pioneering female navigator Amelia Earhart's ill-fated 1937 attempt to become the first woman to circumnavigate the globe by plane. It cannily follows the narrative of Earhart's final flight, moving from the heart-aching orchestral swell of 'I Was Always Dreaming' to the poignant, sample-splattered ambient heartbreak of 'Howland' (a reference to the spot in the Pacific where her plane reportedly went down), via jangly indie-rock ('Towards The Dawn'), jaunty mid-60s beat-pop joy ('The Fun Of It'), folksy laments ('The South Atlantic') and grandiose indie-pop ('Electra').

Review: Public Service Broadcasting's The Last Flight continues their signature blend of historical storytelling with electronic and post-rock soundscapes. The album explores the final chapter of humanity's quest for aviation and space exploration, layering archival audio with atmospheric instrumentals while leaning on the real-life events of the last ever flight by Amelia Earhart in 1937. She had already navigated over 20,000 miles and 5 continents on her round-the-world trip but then vanished without a trace and her whereabouts remain a mystery. Tracks are emotionally charged and cinematic in a record that feels both nostalgic and forward-looking. The band's use of vintage recordings and synth-driven melodies beautifully captures the spirit of human achievement.

Review: Public Service Broadcasting's fifth studio album, The Last Flight, four years on from their 2021 concept album, Bright Magic, taking inspiration from the life and final voyage of pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart. Frontman J. Willgoose Esq. explained the choice of Earhart's story, noting a desire to highlight a female-focused narrative amid an archive dominated by male figures. He was initially drawn to Earhart's final flight but became increasingly fascinated by her extraordinary achievements and dignified philosophy. The album's first single, 'Electra,' shows what to expect - a pulsating, funk-inspired track capturing the vibrancy and excitement of Earhart's Lockheed Model 10-E Electra aircraft. With interlocking percussive melodies and driving electronics, 'Electra' embodies the same determination and force as Earhart's daring spirit. The Last Flight promises a rich, life-affirming exploration of adventure, speed, and freedom, featuring guest appearances by Carl Broemel (My Morning Jacket) on pedal steel and Berlin voices Andreya Casablanca and EERA, both of whom contributed to Bright Magic.

Review: Following their BBC Proms 2019 orchestral re-arrangement of the 2015 studio album The Race For Space with The Multi-Story Orchestra to mark the 50th anniversary of the first manned mission to the Moon, London art/post-rock trio Public Service Broadcasting reunite with the BBC yet again to deliver This New Noise; a newly remixed and remastered live recording of their acclaimed 2022 Proms show at the Royal Albert Hall. Celebrating the communal power of radio in recognition of the centenary of the BBC, the group collaborated with the 88 piece BBC Symphony Orchestra in order to elevate the material to a level of palpable serenity and swelling atmospherics, eclipsing their previous collaboration in the process.

Review: No-one could accuse the London-based duo Public Service Broadcasting of lacking ambition-after the runaway success of their debut 'Inform - Educate - Entertain', this second album, whilst still utilising their trademark mixture of archive audio recordings, krautrock and post-rock. focuses conceptually on the '60s space race, and summons up a suitably widescreen and emotionally resonant backdrop for these stirring tales of voyages into the unknown. Both playful and respectful, it's a heartfelt record whose experimental elan matches the ground-breaking nature and sense of wonder of the subject matter, with these soundscapes and grooves sounding forceful and engaging even whilst they're figuratively staring at the stars.