If you haven’t heard of In-Flight Movie, they’re three-piece band from Oxford, describing themselves as:
“The soundtrack to your favourite movie you’re yet to see.
“Synthpunk band from Oxford for fans of Joy Division, Dead Kennedys, Japandroids, and great films.”
They also elaborated, giving us a lovely analogy of their sound:
“You know that scene at the end of Lost In Translation? Or the tunnel scene in Perks Of Being A Wallflower? That’s what In-Flight Movie sound like. The ending of a character arc, a culmination of emotions, the frenzied nostalgia of it all.”
Well, me personally, I enjoy a film soundtrack every once in a while, so let’s see what In-Flight Movie has to offer…
This is In-Flight Movie’s debut album, which follows a number of single releases and an EP too – with their last four single releases being included in the album, which is a smart move in my opinion, a little familiarity.
Also a shout for the artwork, it’s punchy and colourful, certainly eye-catching, but mysterious!
Anyway, onto the album, it’s called “Decoy” – providing eight tracks of In-Flight Movie’s music catalogue, so let’s see what’s on offer…
“Passenger” is the first track of the album..
Now this starts off with a funky synth-like jazzy beat, I can’t describe it, but it’s an instant hook! I kind of wish that they used the beginning of this track as phone holding music! The vocals are deep but smooth, and you do settle into this track quite easily, some lyrics are repetitive in parts, but it works and is all part of the charm.
It does experiment in places, with some parts of the song a bit rockier, the bridges are impressive and it really comes out of it shell in the second minute of the track, it feels more euphoric, move movie-soundtrack if you like, which I believe is what they’re aiming for.
I think the ending went on a tiny bit too long, but otherwise, a strong start.
“Broken Glass” follows, and we’re back with another funky start, now this actually reminded me of a game soundtrack at first, but when the vocals cut through, it did bring through hints of Depeche Mode and Joy Division here.
This track really bends the rules when it comes to genre-mixing, but that’s completely cool in my book, because it works so well!
This track really brings a different light to In-Flight Movie, and shows a rockier, more indie-esque side them, which I like, it’s shown that they’re varied in their taste and they’re willing to play a bit, which is great.
It wasn’t my favourite track of the album, but it was still good, there is a lot of consistency amongst the instrumental, but also hints of experiments and it’s a short, but sweet track to ease you in further.
“Staircase” is next, and this gave me a spooky, thriller feel at first, this from the first 30 seconds alone, belongs in a thriller film!
It sent chills up my spine, but only because it’s so intriguing! The drums and percussion in this track are particularly good, and takes alot of centre-stage for the long instrumental parts, which on a normal day, I’d get bored of, but the longer breaks between vocals work well in this track, so it absolutely works.
The lyrics are a bit easier to pick up in this song too, again, they are repetitive, and that helps with this!
It’s a meatier track at nearly 5 minutes long, but it works.
“Warp” is fourth track and we’re now at the halfway point of the album!
Another shorter track, but you know what, I’m not mad about it, sometimes tracks that do what they need to do and go are the best.
It was a bit of a slow burner for me this one, but once you get past the intro, it’s pretty slick.
It’s got a lot of different effects and honestly, it’s all over the place with how much they have going on, but it’s mastered brilliantly and tied in with the vocals, which I do feel could be pushed forward a bit more, but it still works together well.
A nice filler track and an easy listen for sure.
“Lightbulb” is next, and we’re back with this euphoric entry again, it’s quite whimsical, but in a deeper, more rockier manner, if that’s even a thing (it is now alright!).
The effects on the vocals are an interesting addition, but it works seamlessly with the track, and this one has a real moody feel to it, more so as the track goes on, edging into a more eerie feel.
This is definitely more of an instrumental track, but it further shows the musicianship and varying craft of the band.
Next up is “Factory” and we’re on the home stretch, as we’re nearing the end of the album…
It’s another shorter track, and we’re back in with the rock-synth intro, which eases you into it again, don’t get too comfortable though, as around 45 seconds in, they ramp up the volume, the energy and the general feel of the song and it just goes more into that rockier side, which I have been waiting to hear more of whilst listening to the album.
It’s a punchy track and shows another slither of the genre-pie for In-Flight Movie, the riffs get heavier towards the end, more so than I expected, but it works brilliantly and quite simply, feels electric.
“Birds” is the penultimate track, now, the title threw me off a bit, as I genuinely wasn’t sure what to expect, given the rest of the album, but it is a much softer feel, an incredibly long intro of nearly 40 seconds though.
The vocals do come in though and the lyrics are expressive, and the band does tease some different tempo’s within the track, with there being plenty of injections of rock and synth, but they’re short and progressive.
Aside from the intro, the track felt like it was over incredibly quickly, there’s definitely more backing track, but I’m putting this down to more of an experience and one to “feel the music” rather than a straight listen.
Now, “Window” is the final offering of the album, and it’s another longer track to finish.
Starting with this sci-fi like, lazer feel intro, like you know you’re walking into the conclusion, it feels liek you’re settling into the end, which is clever.
It’s another long intro, with it being over a minute-long, but with it being progressive, I can forgive it.
The vocals kick in at about 1 minute, 17 seconds with this very powerful “Ooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh” and I was impressive, a very good hook.
This is the first track of the album where I feel that the vocals have really taken the lead, but that’s just giving it the attention they deserve, they are FANTASTIC. The drum beat is also very good, consistent and just finishes the overall sound together.
This was the perfect track to end the album on, it just ties together what we’ve heard throughout the album, but just at a new, higher level and cements the talent that the band have – the guitar riffs are sublime, the vocals are stunning and the drums slot into it beautifully – a bloody good track and I feel, possibly a tease for what’s to come in future? I hope so.
So that makes up “Decoy” – the debut album from In-Flight Movie, my favourite track is most definitely “Window” – it just shows off exactly what this band are capable of, and the album very much feels experimental of all the inspiration, special effects and sounds they like and connect with, but it does feel like it’s laid the foundation for something more and it’s really intrigued me for what is next, it’s a great album and it’s an easy listen, very much in the feel of soundtrack, whether that is film, game or something, else, but you reader, should find out for yourself.
FIND ALL THINGS IN-FLIGHT MOVIE HERE
FIND MORE MUSIC FROM OXFORD ON RGM HERE