26. May 2025
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Media Review

Cardinal Black – Midnight At The Valencia

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Cardinal Black - Midnight At The Valencia

Cardinal Black - Midnight At The Valencia
4.5

Rating

 4.5/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Lovely vocals
  • Great presence
  • Cool blues rock vibed

It is hard to define the exact genre covered by Cardinal Black. However, the band has some very prominent members and thus already played at the Royal Albert Hall. On 23rd May 2025, they released their sophomore album Midnight At The Valencia. 

 

Cardinal Black – About The Artists

Cardinal Black are a trio from Wales. Depending on the source, they are named alt-rockers, soul-jazz or blues musicians. The band members are Tom Hollister (vocals), Chris Buck (guitar) and Adam Roberts (drums). In 2022, they released their debut album January Came Close.

 

Cardinal Black – Midnight at the Valencia – Track by Track

The eleven track album lasts 45 minutes.

1. Ride Home

The album opens with a straight rocker. After an intro including a spoken message sounding like a radio transmitted one, the guitars and Tom Hollister are in focus of the listener. The song reminds of 1980’s rock music and has a progressive touch. The very melodic sound invites to listen more songs.

2. Falling

The second track of the album is Falling. After a small interlude from the opener, the sound has a similar character – without feeling boring. Especially the chorus of this one is a nice listen.

I keep waiting for a better day
I keep searching for a better way
But all I ever wanted was you

3. Racing Cars

Tom Hollister, who wrote Racing Cars on his own, is majorly accompanied by the piano at the beginning of this one. There are also some decent rhythmic elements. The third song of Midnight At The Valencia is not a ballad, though. Therefor, especially the second part is too energetic. However, the track has a nice energy. In general, I like the usage of backing vocals on this album.

4. Breathe

Breathe starts quietly. At the beginning, the song feels thrilling and a bit of frightening. It intensifies its atmosphere after some 90 seconds, when the instruments become louder and backing vocals are in place as well. The guitar solo part is another catch of the fourth song album.

5. Keep on Running

Cardinal Black presented four new songs at the beginning of their 2025 album. However, five songs (and, thus, almost half of the album) have already been released. Keep On Running is the first of them. The song is a nice blues rocker and has a nice indie touch. The bass is comparably present and leads to a nice groove in some parts of the track.

6. Morning Light

Again, Morning Light starts slowly and presents some energetic moments in its later parts. Again, there is a clear blues rock signature on this song. In this song, I would love Hollister to be even more energetic. Nonetheless, the band works out in here on the vocal as well as on the instrumental side.

And I said “hey, let’s spend the night”
Let’s just get drunk and talk until the morning light
And I said “hey, let’s spend the night”
Don’t you ever, don’t you put your trust in me

7. Holding My Breath

Fans of Cardinal Black will be in their comfort zone now. Out of the last five songs, four have been published before the album. Holding My Breath comes with a nice narrative style. Again, guitar lovers will love the guitar solo moments.

8. Push/Pull

Push/Pull is one of the calmest recordings on this album. This time, the instruments hardly step into focus at all, the floor is up to Hollister’s voice. He is performing this one beautifully.

Push, until we feel a little closer
Find out how fast I can run
Pull, until my head’s above the water
I’m feeling like the minus in this sum

9. Adeline

After this intimate moment, Adeline has slightly more instrumental and melodic presence. The song is still a rather calm one for the whole first half of the five minute listen. However, towards the end, it is time for the instruments to present themselves.

10. Need More Time

A nice beat, distorted guitars and a harmonica – Cardinal Black spread some Americana feelings in the tenth song of the album. The song is working towards the chorus. And if you need more time, I’ll be waiting right here – a lovely statement put into a really nice melody.

11. Your Spark (Blows Me to Pieces)

Your Spark (Blows Me to Pieces) closes Midnight At The Valencia. The song feels a bit too brave at the beginning. However, it lasts almost six minutes – and his rocking elements rather strike towards the end, before the song slowly fades out.

 

Cardinal Black – Midnight at the Valencia – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

Cardinal Black – Midnight at the Valencia – My View

I really enjoyed listening to Tom Hollister’s voice. I also really like his presence. Here and there, the individual songs might be even better, but Midnight at the Valencia is a lovely listen from the Londoners.

Favorite Song: Morning Light

 

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