Last Night Watchman – Old Blighty (2026)
Brian Eno once said, “Everything good comes from authentic enthusiasm”, and that’s what we have with Last Night Watchman. Previously one of the guitarists from the Birmingham band The Noseflutes, David Pritchard – the brain behind the solo project, Last Night Watchman – embraced his eager enthusiasm and created moving melodies for audiences. The UK-based musician notably uses his music as a form of therapy – a catharsis, so to speak. However, it’s not just for him; it’s a place of solace, acceptance and strength for anyone who cares to take a chance on Last Night Watchman. Join us as we delve into his debut EP, Old Blighty.
Self-produced at his home studio, Old Blighty is inspired by some obscure topics like “colonial power and fossilised footprints…”, yet retains the universal and timeless exploration of human experience. Last Night Watchman explains: “Like anyone getting older, I think the deaths and illness of close friends and family get you thinking in a much deeper and profound way about the passage of time and how we face life…”
Opening with the title track, Last Night Watchman dips into a folk-rock few minutes of music with acoustic instrumentation and an intriguing wash of vocals simultaneously soaring across and backing the leading tenor. Smooth and relaxing, ‘Old Blighty’ has a toe-tapping feel in the mellifluous groove; however, a degree of melancholy, vulnerability and fragility exists in the melody. John Horton’s guitar takes centre stage midway through the track – a solo that simply enhances its obscure sense of tragedy. Interestingly, ‘Old Blighty’ was penned after Bristol demonstrators pulled down the statue of slave trader Edward Colston, so the wash of melancholy is understandable.
Flowing into ‘Footprints’, Last Night Watchman slips into an indie-rock tone, dragging listeners back a few decades. Horton’s guitar once again weaves into the single, giving it that empowering aura but also a poignant feel. ‘Get The Best Out Of Life’ is heavier, with a strong leaning toward the obscurity of David Bowie. Not distorted or off-kilter, but simultaneously showcasing Last Night Watchman’s innovation in obscure, deliberate piano, and we can’t forget the gritty guitar slicing through the track.
The final track, ‘Towards The Sun’, may be my favourite of Old Blighty. It seems lighter, steadier, and more comforting than the rest. The song you can imagine someone playing at a get-together; friends, family, food and feel-good music.
Overall, what is my opinion of Old Blighty? Given Last Night Watchman’s gruff vocals, there is a raw aura to the EP, and this is probably what will stick with me. It’s an EP I’d recommend, but I don’t know if it will stand out in our minds. I do, however, look forward to more from Last Night Watchman.
Find out more about Last Night Watchman on his official website, YouTube, Bandcamp, SoundCloud and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
