Each week, our Song of the Week column shines a light on the best new releases. Find these new favorites and more on our Spotify Top Songs playlist, and for other great songs from emerging artists, check out our Spotify New Sounds playlist. This week, Liam Gallagher and John Squire join forces for “Just Another Rainbow.”
Durring Oasis‘ heyday, Liam Gallagher was never viewed as the band’s driving creative force. Even two hit albums in (Definitely Maybe and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory), the rebellious frontman had yet to nab his first official writing credit. That remained the case until 1996, when ex-Stone Roses guitarist John Squire tapped Gallagher for “Love and Leave Me,” a single for his project The Seahorses. Nearly three decades later, Gallagher has yet to put down the pen — be it for writing rock tunes or troll-tastic tweets aimed at his brother.
For his latest effort, Gallagher is once again joining forces with the man who, in a sense, kicked off his writing career. “Just Another Rainbow” arrives as the first single from a promised full-length collaboration between Gallagher and Squire, and despite the time that’s passed, it sounds like ’90s Manchester all over again.
The track kicks off with swirling indie guitars and Gallagher’s trademark melodic snarl. After the first chorus, the drums kick in and Squire teases the guitar chops he’ll lean on in the back half of the song. They throw in a bridge for good measure before breaking into an extended guitar jam, making good on Squire’s promise of guitar heroics. Overall, it’s Brit-poppin’ good time.
“Just Another Rainbow” doesn’t necessarily reinvent Gallagher or Squire; all of the usual influences are present in the song’s construction and production. The DNA of the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and — yes — Oasis and The Stone Roses lie at the tune’s core. But the execution is as a solid as ever, and fans of any of the aforementioned British groups are sure believe the duo as they attempt to prove rock ‘n’ roll is alive and well.
— Jonah Krueger
Editorial Coordinator