Bombay Bicycle Club
So Long, See You Tomorrow
(Island Records, 2014)
Released: Monday 3rd February 2014
A Different Kind of Fix was, and still is an excellent album in so many ways. In a way, it pulled the band out of the seemingly numerous collection of skinny jean wearing indie-pop bands and showed they were marching to their own beat for the first time. It's an album I've fondly treasured since it came out and will continue to do so.
(Island Records, 2014)
Released: Monday 3rd February 2014
And so it begins. After a decent, but not decent enough January of new music releases, we move into February. And on the first Monday of the second month, we have an album-of-the-year contender, from one of the more successful 'modern indie' bands of the last 5-10 years. Of course, we're talking about Bombay Bicycle Club and So Long, See You Tomorrow, which is out today!
It's been argued that the indie quartet haven't really fitted into a single genre since their birth back in 2005. They've flirted with several different genres ever since the release of I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose, which came out back in 2009. That was predominantly an indie rock LP that helped lay foundations for their legacy and their sound, providing us with an anthem that everyone knows every lyric to (Always Like This).
Fast forward a year to the release of Flaws, which couldn't be anymore different to their debut. Predominantly a folk/acoustic album, it showcased the foursome's ability to interchange between various styles. Versatility is something that appears to be key in the modern music world. Mind you, it did the trick as Flaws ended up in 8th in the UK album chart. Roll on 2011, and the release of A Different Kind of Fix, released to coincide with epic slots at Reading and Leeds Festivals. Again, it demonstrated the ability to slide effortlessly between musical niches and pull it off with aplomb. Even two and a half years later, 'Lights Out, Words Gone' is one of my favourite tracks, and the British public agreed. It made #6 in the UK Album Charts.
So that brings us to 2014 and the release of So Long, See You Tomorrow. It's been two and a half long years without new material, 'Beg' not really doing that gap justice. Steadman and co broke the news of a new album with the release of 'Carry Me' back in November. I described it as "an intensely atmospheric sound, with crashing cymbals, drums and some brilliant electronic elements thrown in as well."
Next came the release of 'It's Alright Now' which was an exciting experimental indie rock track including the backing vocals of the incredibly talented Lucy Rose (who is incredible in her own right as well). It's an anthem for the young generation - "it's alright now, I don't wanna wait" - to seize the moment and it shows. One of the most exciting things about the modern indie pop/rock niche is that so many bands are relatively fresh out of uni and/or young. The music they write is representative of their target audience and that really emancipates me.
'Luna' was the final single released before So Long, featuring the vocals of the incredibly talented Rae Morris. If ever there was a display of intent to sell out massive crowds and lift an entire audience onto their feet, this was that display. Possibly one of their most emotive and atmosphere tracks ever, of the three singles released thus far it's the most popular (according to Spotify plays).
So, moving on to new album tracks. Frontman Jack Steadman visited numerous countries to gain inspiration
for the album and the Bollywood influence shows on 'Overdone' and 'Feel'. There's also the opportunity for an showcase of the groups more contemporary instrumental skill on 'Eyes Off You', which is a ballad of sorts.
If there's one thing that's the most noticeable from So Long compared to the previous three albums, it's the much stronger influence of electronic sounds and trickery. I'm talking synths and samples, the former of which forming a Foals-esque sound on 'Come To', and a lot of Bollywood sampling throughout the album.
It's safe to say that this is new territory for Bombay Bicycle Club and they deliver superbly. What's next for the foursome and their talented collaborators? Well, we can only hope for high-placed festival slots in the summer (*cough* come to Reading *cough*) and every success for them. Based on album sales trends they've only gotten better over time and this makes me very happy.
Next came the release of 'It's Alright Now' which was an exciting experimental indie rock track including the backing vocals of the incredibly talented Lucy Rose (who is incredible in her own right as well). It's an anthem for the young generation - "it's alright now, I don't wanna wait" - to seize the moment and it shows. One of the most exciting things about the modern indie pop/rock niche is that so many bands are relatively fresh out of uni and/or young. The music they write is representative of their target audience and that really emancipates me.
'Luna' was the final single released before So Long, featuring the vocals of the incredibly talented Rae Morris. If ever there was a display of intent to sell out massive crowds and lift an entire audience onto their feet, this was that display. Possibly one of their most emotive and atmosphere tracks ever, of the three singles released thus far it's the most popular (according to Spotify plays).So, moving on to new album tracks. Frontman Jack Steadman visited numerous countries to gain inspiration
for the album and the Bollywood influence shows on 'Overdone' and 'Feel'. There's also the opportunity for an showcase of the groups more contemporary instrumental skill on 'Eyes Off You', which is a ballad of sorts.
If there's one thing that's the most noticeable from So Long compared to the previous three albums, it's the much stronger influence of electronic sounds and trickery. I'm talking synths and samples, the former of which forming a Foals-esque sound on 'Come To', and a lot of Bollywood sampling throughout the album.
It's safe to say that this is new territory for Bombay Bicycle Club and they deliver superbly. What's next for the foursome and their talented collaborators? Well, we can only hope for high-placed festival slots in the summer (*cough* come to Reading *cough*) and every success for them. Based on album sales trends they've only gotten better over time and this makes me very happy.