With their latest single, “Flying Machine,” Southern-rooted, retro-soul revivalists Bonneville take a bold step skyward — both sonically and thematically. Known for their warm blend of funky R&B, Southern soul, and vintage groove, the band’s new release (and title track from their forthcoming album) reveals a more expansive, electronic, and genre-bending direction, while keeping one foot firmly planted in the analog warmth that defines their sound.
Inspired by a quietly magical moment — guitarist Jeff Hayashi’s two-year-old son gazing at the moon from behind a curtain — “Flying Machine” is a study in rediscovered wonder. The track invites listeners into a dreamy, groove-laden world where childlike imagination is not just preserved but elevated into a soulful, danceable art form.
Built on a foundation of live instrumentation and electronic textures, the song is as much a sonic time machine as it is a flying one. You can hear echoes of Jamiroquai’s space-funk, Cymande’s rhythmic soul, and the aspirational elegance of Stevie Wonder, all swirling within Hayashi’s guitar lines, Andy Dixon’s agile bass, Brad Kuhn’s lush keys, and Justin Holder’s airtight drums. Producer Starita balances it all beautifully, blending modern synths and MIDI flourishes with the grit and swagger of a live band recorded at none other than Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals — a place where musical legends were made.
Vocally, Wes McGee delivers one of his most nuanced performances to date. The verses float with ethereal curiosity before lifting into a soaring, reworked chorus that hits like a revelation. “It’s whimsical and dreamy at the top—like a daydream,” McGee says, “but then hits hard to convey the deep need of someone wanting more for their life.” His subtle nods to Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson are evident, but what shines most is McGee’s own voice — equal parts silky and sincere, grounding the track’s cosmic aspirations in emotional truth.
Lyrically, “Flying Machine” operates on two levels: it’s a celebration of childhood wonder, and also a declaration of self-actualization. The idea that we each have the ability to transcend our limitations, to rise above expectations, is woven into every bar and every beat. “I hope listeners will see themselves as the Flying Machine and know they can do anything,” McGee shares — and by the time the chorus soars, it’s hard not to believe him.
The production journey behind the song wasn’t without turbulence. The band famously sat on the song for three years, wrestling with a chorus that felt “too sleepy.” But after refining the arrangement and discovering the right emotional and harmonic payoff, “Flying Machine” now lands with clarity and impact — a masterclass in patience paying off.
In an era where much of modern music is built for instant gratification, Bonneville has crafted a track that rewards the long game — in production, in message, and in musicality. “Flying Machine” is not just a standout single; it’s a statement of evolution from a band whose retro sensibilities are now flying headfirst into the future.
