Blitz Vega – Northern Gentleman

Once upon a time, legendary Mancunian bassist Andy Rourke was invited to one of Kav Sandhu’s gigs. Rourke loved what he heard, but did not have a chance to connect with Sandhu until one serendipitous day at the 2004 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. At the time, Sandhu was a new but key member of Happy Mondays and this fateful performance was their first in five years. After bumping into one another, Rourke and Sandhu finally found their chance to begin a budding friendship. They discussed making music together, and when they both moved to the US, they found themselves in a position to finally collaborate. After Rourke received a devastating cancer diagnosis, all he wished for was to continue doing what he loved most, but now, with his beloved friend. 

Although they were only able to release a single EP under the band name “Blitz Vega”, Sandhu fulfilled his promise to his friend that the world would get to hear Blitz Vega’s full debut. On 27^th September 2024, Rourke’s final work and unique collaboration with Sandhu entitled Northern Gentleman will finally be released.

The single Disconnected lays the foundation for the album, with its themes resonating through Strong Forever (ft. Johnny Marr), Hole In My Heart, Lost Myself and Lost & Found. Each song delves into the devastation of loss, with Rourke reflecting on the passing of his great friend and collaborator Dolores O’Riordan. Among these, Hole In My Heart stands out as a major highlight; what once may have been a dedication to O’Riordan is seen through a different perspective, with Sandhu’s gut-wrenching vocals dominating the track, revealing a deep understanding of the pain Rourke felt over the loss of his legendary friend. Lyrically, it is the strongest track on the album – the duo explains that loss has caused more than just sadness, but a pain that will last until they pass away themselves.

The opening moments of Northern Gentleman may feel slightly repetitive due to their similar themes, but each track possesses unique qualities that make them stand out. Whether it’s Sandhu’s soft-spoken vocals in Lost Myself or the electronic textures of Lost & Found, Blitz Vega showcases the power of production. These stylistic choices add depth to each song, enhancing the overall impact of the record.

As the album progresses, Blitz Vega shifts away from loss and creeps towards acceptance. High Gravity, Love City and LA Vampire differ greatly from the earlier songs, mostly in concept. Where the tracks convey immense grief, anger and distress, these discuss truly experiencing and absorbing life after death.

Pass the Gun concludes the debut with an incomparable sound: American 80s-inspired instrumentals blended with record scratches and reverses. This final piece encourages listeners to absorb Blitz Vega’s overarching message by inviting them to cycle through the album once again. 

Overall, Northern Gentleman is a record that demands context to fully appreciate its impact. Sandhu no doubt will certainly be keeping this friendship close to his heart as he hopefully continues to create music; listeners will leave with tugged heartstrings as the power of human connection through music is shown in a way like no other.

Taryn Crowley
Image: Lexi Bonin

Northern Gentleman is released on 27^th September 2024. For further information or to order the album visit Blitz Vega’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Disconnected here: