Pearls & Flames – ‘Spread Your Wings’

(Pride & Joy Music)

Pearl & Flames return with Spread Your Wings, a record that feels like a love letter to the golden age of Westcoast AOR while still tugging the genre into contemporary polish. If their previous album hinted at their ambition, this one plants a flag firmly in the territory once dominated by Toto and the smooth groove maestros of the late 70’s and early 80’s. Yet Pearl & Flames approach the style less as nostalgic reenactors and more like craftsmen who understand the architecture of the genre from the inside out.

The album opens with the soaring title track ‘Spread Your Wings’ a statement of intent if there ever was one. The glistening electric piano, bright rhythm guitar and stacked harmonies instantly evoke that Isolation-era Toto purity, tight but not sterile, smooth but never soft. The song pulses with upward movement, lyrically urging escape and self-belief, musically propelled by a rhythm section that sounds like it’s trying to burst out of the speakers. It’s the kind of opener you want on a summer highway with the windows down.

‘First Love’ shifts the mood into something more tender and romantic. Pearl & Flames excel when they lean into Westcoast warmth and here they deliver the kind of glossy mid-tempo ballad that wouldn’t be out of place on a Joseph Williams solo record. Everything is clean, the satin keyboard pads, the subtle bass flourishes and the guitar solo that glides rather than bites. It’s nostalgia in widescreen, but never saccharine.

Then comes ‘We Will Survive’ which injects a welcome shot of grit. There’s a faint trace of Survivor or mid 80’s Foreigner in the chorus, bold, determined, with a slightly tougher edge. The band never loses their melodic discipline, but the song leans forward with punchier drums and a more urgent vocal cadence. It’s an early album standout and a subtle reminder that Westcoast doesn’t have to mean soft around the edges.

‘Like You Mean It’ returns to a sheen soaked groove, the kind of soft funk shuffle that lovers of the genre crave. The interplay between the bass and the Fender-esque guitars gives the track an irresistible bounce. You can practically hear Jeff Porcaro’s ghost smiling. Pearl & Flames clearly understand that Westcoast is as much about feel as it is about composition, and this track nails that intangible glide.

One of the album’s biggest surprises is ‘Runaway Train’ and with a title like that, you might anticipate something bombastic but instead, we’re treated to a moody, atmospheric mid-tempo rocker with smoky keys and a cinematic chorus. It’s less Toto here and more like the darker corners of Richard Marx or Mr. Mister and it works beautifully.

‘Stay In My Life’ is pure Westcoast comfort food, soft edges, bright harmonies and a chorus that seems tailor-made for sunset drives. It’s the kind of track that might not jump out on first listen but quietly becomes essential on repeat spins.

‘I Don’t Have To Wait’ introduces a more rhythmic, almost yacht-funk undertone. The guitars snap, the keys shimmer with metallic precision and the vocal phrasing dances across the groove. Imagine Steely Dan if they leaned harder into AOR optimism. It’s an understated gem.

The emotional centrepiece of the album arrives with ‘Like A Father And Son’. It’s a rare moment where the band strips back the polished layers and lets vulnerability take the lead. The ballad builds patiently, anchored by a heartfelt vocal performance and a restrained arrangement that avoids overdramatization. It’s sincere without being heavy handed, which is not an easy balance to strike.

‘Broken’ follows and deepens the introspective mood. With its haunting piano lines and slow burn progression, the track echoes the kind of mature balladry found with newer Westcoast revival artists like Work of Art. The song swells, folds into itself, then releases like a long-held breath. It’s one of the most emotionally resonant cuts here.

The reflective streak continues with ‘The Art Of Letting Go’ which pairs lyrical resignation with breezy musical phrasing. The contrast, sad words, uplifting arrangement, is classic Westcoast craftsmanship and Pearl & Flames navigate it with grace. Think Toto’s ‘I’ll Be Over You’ but with a more modern sheen.

‘After All These Years’ brings back a sense of optimism, fusing gentle nostalgia with forward looking energy. The chorus is built for singing along and the warm instrumentation calls back to the band’s earliest influences while still feeling fresh.

‘One Step Closer’ pushes the tempo again, giving the final stretch of the album a welcome jolt. Crisp percussion, shimmering keys and a melodic guitar hook remind us that Pearl & Flames can deliver punch when they choose to. It’s a buoyant, uplifting tune that preps the listener for the finale.

And what a finale it is. ‘Sahara’ closes the album on an unexpected note, blending Eastern tinged textures with a spacious AOR framework. It feels adventurous, cinematic and slightly mystical, something that wouldn’t be out of place on Toto’s Tambu or Fahrenheit. It’s a bold closer that broadens the album’s sonic scope without abandoning its core identity.

Spread Your Wings isn’t just a strong collection of songs, it’s a confident, cohesive statement from a band fully fluent in the Westcoast language. Pearl & Flames channel the genre’s hallmarks with reverence but avoid being derivative, offering instead a polished, emotionally rich and expertly crafted record. Fans of Toto, Work of Art and all things smooth AOR will find plenty to love here. More importantly, the album feels timeless –rooted in the past, but radiating with present day clarity.

Pearl & Flames set out to make a Westcoast classic. With Spread Your Wings, they just might have.

9/10

Essential Track – ‘Broken’

Review By Woody