REVIEW: Black Pope – ‘White Smoke’

Known for his sinister storytelling and a sound that echoes the grit of classic rock, Irish-born rocker Black Pope’s long-awaited debut album ‘White Smoke’ channels intense riffs, pulsing rhythms, and darkly cinematic lyrics. Each track on ‘White Smoke’ feels like a a fierce dive into raw rock ‘n’ roll energy balancing the eerie charm of retro rock with the punch of modern-day rebellion.

Produced by Grammy-winner Cian Riordan, celebrated for his work with St. Vincent and Lana Del Rey, ‘White Smoke’ offers polished yet fierce production that lets the guitar-heavy, rebellious spirit of each track shine through. Highlighting the release with the single ‘She’s Alive’, Black Pope delivers a blast of ‘50s rock influence while injecting a brooding, modern twist. The track, inspired during a late-night viewing of Frankenstein, feels like a haunting love letter to the imperfect and the unhinged, with lyrics that champion resilience in the face of life’s darker moments.

From there we get to experience the full wealth of Black Pope’s influences across a multitude of dynamic delights. While he is certainly an artist that likes to wear his inspirations firmly on his sleeve, ‘White Smoke’ still manages to carve out a distinctive niche for itself, adopting a nostalgic appeal that still finds solace on a progressive and contemporary scene.