LIAM GALLAGHER shares the ‘Diamond in the Dark’ EP featuring his take on the John Lennon classic ‘Bless You’

Liam Gallagher

It’s already been a biblical summer for the iconic Liam Gallagher. His critically adored third solo studio album ‘C’MON YOU KNOW’ went straight to #1 with 70,000 first-week sales, and he celebrated by playing two spectacular shows at Knebworth Park that same weekend. He sold all 170,000 tickets for the gigs within a matter of minutes, as Liam inspired elation and adoration as he returned to the scene of Oasis’s legendary 1996 summer shows.

Undeniably at the peak of his powers, Liam keeps the summer energy burning as he shares his new EP ‘Diamond In The Dark’. It features Liam’s take on John Lennon’s classic ‘Bless You’, which now debuts digitally having initially become a cult fan favourite when it was released on the ‘C’MON YOU KNOW’ vinyl deluxe edition.

Regarded as one of Lennon’s finest ballads, ‘Bless You’ is a poignant jazz-tinged ballad which explored his break-up with Yoko Ono and is featured on his 1974 album ‘Walls and Bridges’. Liam’s version of the song heightens its soulful feel, especially with a very different vocal style to what we would normally expect to hear from him.

Liam discussed his version of ‘Bless You’ with Chris Moyles on Radio X. He said, “I sing it very smooth and sexy, very Marvin Gaye-ish, you know? Very soft and that. That’s what happens when you don’t drink dairy and smoke. I’ve become Marvin Gaye!”

The EP also features the studio version of ‘Diamond In The Dark’, which was described by Clash as “a peacock strut, a blast of feedback-strewn arrogance that bleeds the raw power of rock ‘n’ roll.” That raw power is fired with full conviction with the EP’s other track, a live version of ‘Diamond In The Dark’ which was recorded at Knebworth Park.

The success of ‘C’MON YOU KNOW’ means that Liam has now achieved four solo #1 albums, following ‘As You Were’ (2017), ‘Why Me? Why Not.’ (2019) and ‘MTV Unplugged’ (2020). Between his resurgent solo career and his iconic work with Oasis, Liam has now reached #1 on the UK Official Album Chart with a total of twelve albums that span almost thirty years. Released on the same day as ‘C’MON YOU KNOW’, Liam’s live album ‘Down By The River Thames’ also charted strongly, debuting at #4.

NME praised the Knebworth Park shows as “an epic day in the sun, bringing Oasis’ iconic gigs to the new generation” and Liam takes the experience around the show throughout the remainder of the year as he tours Europe, Australia/New Zealand and South America. His upcoming UK and Ireland gigs continue with major outdoor shows in Dublin (August 27th) and Cardiff (September 15th). Liam will also celebrate the life of his friend Taylor Hawkins when he performs at the Foo Fighters’ tribute concert at Wembley Stadium on September 3rd.

Listen to ‘Diamond in the Dark’ EP – BELOW:

Xsnoize Author
Mark Millar is the founder of XS Noize and looks after the daily running of the website as well as hosting interviews for the weekly XS Noize Podcast. Mark's favourite album is Achtung Baby by U2.

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