If you were thinking of skipping past this because you’ve never heard of Cardinal Black, wait a second. If you do, you will miss out badly and may regret it. Let me give you a quick endorsement to persuade you it’s worth a band and a new album worth reading about.
Last July, Slash name-checked the band's guitarist Chris Buck in an LA Times interview as “a really great blues guitar player”. In that interview, the band uses another quote from Slash on some of their promo material. In three words, it’s to the point - “really f***ing good.” Slash knows what he is talking about.
If you don’t know Cardinal Black, where have you been? However, this is your chance to step in as the band takes a huge step up this year in many ways. A new tour in the UK and Europe, and their first headlining dates in North America this summer. There are already a few sellout dates on both legs. Now they have officially released their second album.
New Cardinal Black album Midnight At The Valencia is out now
Midnight At The Valencia is now out on the Thirty Tigers label. It’s been a long wait since their first, January Came Close, back in 2022. Since then, the band has been busy touring, honing their live shows and songs, and of course writing and recording the new album.
It’s taken a lot of time, energy, focus, and playing gigs to help get them to this point and the latest release. The band is very proud of the album and everything that has gone into it.
Recorded over three weeks in two sessions at Powerplay Studios in Zurich, the production and sound quality of Midnight At The Valencia is a significant advance from their debut. That partly comes from the studio’s highly experienced Cyrill Camenzind, who produced the album.
It was then mixed by David Benjamin, who also mixed Larkin Poe’s 2024 Grammy Award-winning contemporary blues album Blood Harmony.
Cardinal Black has taken their remarkable and distinctive sound up a level on this brilliant new release. You’ll still find soulful vocals sung with passion by Tom Hollister. Those are balanced and complemented by superb bluesy solos and guitar play from the Slash-endorsed Chris Buck and backed by Adam Roberts’ rhythms on drums.
Sam Williams plays the bass role, but has since amicably left the band.
Midnight At The Valencia track by track
The album introduces different styles and sounds while developing and delivering that Cardinal Black identity stamp. The band has been talking about their favorite tracks in the run-up to the release. All are clearly songs to listen to and emphasize some of those differences.
Roberts and Buck both picked “Ride Home” as a favorite. Roberts likes the very different drum beat he plays, and Buck loves the very full sound, which includes bagpipes played by ex-political communications guru Alastair Campbell and Finlay Macdonald. This first track on the album could be a brilliant live set opener, too.
“Falling” has a moodier sound, still very Cardinal Black. All their trademark tones are there, with Hollister taking the lead as it builds to a strong end. Next up is “Racing Cars,” with a lush backdrop and Hollister at his best. The guitars play out with restraint alongside a piano to close it down nicely.
“Breathe” was Hollister’s choice as his favorite track; he cited its very chilled sound. It’s a big song, though. There’s an amazing and haunting choral backing running behind his voice as a very relaxed solo from Buck eases in.
“Keep On Running” has a simple but funky rhythm to it, with a dirty, edgy guitar riff from the off. It's nicely upbeat, with more great backing vocals adding depth to Hollister’s voice.
Chilled and relaxed Cardinal Black before they step it up again
Buck also nominated the slightly dreamier qualities of “Morning Light” as a top track, no wonder, with some more top-quality soloing from him. It’s another low and chilled start to a song, which rises and falls as it progresses. As the end approaches, Buck cuts in with more superb guitar playing. He will let many of them run riot live on stage.
On “Holding My Breath,” we have a more chilled-out Hollister, too. There are some simple keyboards in places, and a perfectly soft and simple soaring solo from Buck. Look out for the sudden end. “Push/Pull” keeps things slow and peaceful.
Emotional and intense, it was written after Buck's father passed away. The simple but effective guitar backing Hollister’s singing delivers a beautiful and bluesy excerpt within the album.
On “Adeline,” there’s more of that slower, soulful, and reflective sound. It’s a perfect fit on the album. Just as it quietens further, with gentle keyboards, there's another super backing chorus and Buck's guitar mixed in to sail it to a close. Then, a switch-up follows with the powerful ”Need More Time.”
It grows in depth as you hear it—a great and typical Cardinal Black song. I love the harmonica parts, played by Hollister, which give the song a different twist and will go down well on the US live dates.
“Your Spark (Blows Me To Pieces)” is a superb track to close the album. It felt instantly memorable when I heard it live last October. A simple refrain for the crowd to join in on the singing. More amazing vocals from Hollister as the song builds. Buck lets rip on his guitar in places and helps steer the song onwards. It’ll be a high point on the subsequent tour for sure.
Don’t just take Slash’s word for it. Give the band a listen. Dip into the new album and hear for yourself. This could be a big year for the band, so it’s time to get on board now.