Most know Welsh Musician Andy Bell as the bassist for UK Alternative Rock leaders Oasis during the early 2000s until their ultimate breakup in 2009. However, as a singer-songwriter, Andy Bell has been making music long before playing with the Gallagher brothers. In fact, he has been active for over 30 years with his projects Ride and Hurricane #1, before Oasis, and, inevitably, Liam Gallagher’s offshoot, Beady Eye.
Known for his eclecticism, Bell’s musical landscape spans everything from Rock-n-Roll to Techno and Dance to deep-track instrumentals, ranging from Hip Hop vibes to the most dreamy ethereal sounds you can imagine. With all this in mind, his new solo album, Pinball Wanderer, is no different.
Released on February 28, 2025, by Sonic Cathedral Recordings, his latest solo album is quite experimental and fascinating. Consisting of eight tracks, it opens with “panic attack,” which is one of the few on the album with a lot of lyrics, and quickly gets going with its thumping basslines and groovy drums. Filled with lyrics of internal reflection, you are hit with the main plot of the song, which is about dealing with too much information in the world and the downfalls of life when you know too much. Stripped down, it is a weighty track, considering. This is evident in the opening line, “Messed up, wanting more,” an actual lyrical opening to this new digital-in-your-face world we all live in.
Another standout song on Pinball Wanderer is “madder lake deep,” which features beautiful acoustic guitar playing throughout, along with its groove. Featuring endearing, deep words that can be taken in numerous ways, on one hand, they could be taken literally as just a picture with too many watercolors on it, and now those colors are dripping and running down to the corners of the pages. However, is it just that? Some would say it could be about life and how, sometimes, too much is just that — too much. Sometimes we are just overloaded and we shut down. Nonetheless, the musical landscapes on this song are very ethereal, listen on headphones and you will be in your own world.
Then there is the title track, a phenomenal instrumental with a stunning bass line and dreamy acoustic guitar throughout. This song will make you feel like you are drifting and just floating on clouds. Topped off with an excellent lead line from more acoustic guitars, “pinball wanderer” will have you immersed with its groovy vibe and feel. This is while “music concrete” offers a brilliant keyboard/synth intro and dancing drums and bass. Along with “pinball wanderer,” this is undoubtedly a song you’ll want to play again and again, leaving you wanting more.
The musical landscape of the entire album paints different pictures for everyone. By thinking outside the box, Bell yields some compelling sounds. However, if you are not all that familiar with Bell’s work going into Pinball Wander and are expecting Oasis-style Britpop, you will surely be disappointed. If you open your mind, you will find that Andy Bell is a master at setting the scene through his music, and he accomplishes this beautifully once again on this album. That is why Cryptic Rock gives Andy Bell’s Pinball Wander 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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