Centred around funky beats, jazzy chords, psychedelic rock sounds, and nods to the best of '70s soul music, Open Mic Night at the Pink Flamingo – the long-awaited debut album from 11-piece Waterford ensemble Backroad Smokers Club – features some of the most irresistible, mind-melting melodies to have been crafted on these shores in years.

The Waterford funksters previously released three stellar singles in 2020, manoeuvring through the difficulties of Covid-19 to produce the expansive lead tracks for their latest project. ‘Music Is a Movement’, ‘Colour the World’ and ‘Get Out of your Head’ proved the band came out of the starting blocks at full funk-fuelled speed, with basslines and punchy vocals so sonically divine it’s impossible to ignore the call to groove.

Backroad Smokers Club previously featured as one of the regional finalists in Hot Press' A New Local Hero talent search, and each musician's contribution here proves that the group have earned their place in the spotlight. Noteworthy among the crowd of musical talent is Killian Browne on keys, with songs like ‘Getting On With It’ and ‘Lord You’re Gonna Make My Day’ showcasing some silky keyboard chord progressions.

Freddy Quinlan is lively and masterful on the mic, as he attacks the songs with the confidence and warm, abiding soul that listeners would expect from veteran singers like Jamiroquai’s Jay Kay or Funkadelic’s George Clinton. While it might seem like the occasional melody shows up more than once across the album, each track delivers uniquely – and the band never lose their footing across the 12 consistently solid songs.

A vinyl edition is expected later this summer – and it's definitely one for funk and soul fans to keep an eye out for...

Listen: ‘Music Is a Movement’
Score: 8/10