Music Review: Andy Rourke's posthumous album, Blitz Vega's 'Northern Gentleman,' is a soft swan song

Blitz Vega, the band helmed by The Smiths’ bassist Andy Rourke and Kav Sandhu of Happy Mondays, formed in 2016 and ended when Rourke died from pancreatic cancer in 2023. Out Friday, Rourke and Sandhu were able to complete Blitz Vega’s lone and debut album, “Northern Gentleman." The Associated Press’ Ron Harris writes in his review that Blitz Vega’s release, while heartfelt for the band members, is unfortunately staid. He says Rourke will be remembered fondly for his work with the Smiths, but hardly at all for this posthumous release.