Hardly any introduction is necessary for the English punk rockers known as Boston Manor. Led by vocalist Henry Cox, they’ve been brilliantly combining their post-hardcore and emo influences together since the early 2010’s, paving their own way out of small towns to major cities with tours and festivals all across the world. The newest release, Sundiver, tackles different messages, themes, styles and perspectives, taking that gritty emotion the band curates so well and crafting it into an aged, more polished sound. There’s new beginnings and grief and moving on, all featured elements inhenry cox, english, punk, uk, horses in a dream, sliding doors, Sundiver. The band took a brief break from touring to work on the album, limiting their performances to smaller runs, and by early September, Boston Manor dropped their long-awaited fifth album to a hungry fanbase.
The opening lines give us an enlightening perspective. The moody tones, breathing out “Could you please open the window, let the new world in,” take us into the first track titled “Datura (Dawn).” A melodic opening riff rivets through the entirety, offering an airy atmosphere full of introspection.
The energy radiates with Cox’s lethargic vocals in “Container.” Distortion infiltrates instrumentals and harmonies both, and a blasting beat pumps this song full of life. Lyrics like ‘show me who you are, show me what you’re made of’ throw back attitude and edge.
“Sliding Doors,” comes in with a desperate passion shown in raging screams which crossover into light harmonies. “Sliding Doors” pumps out pessimistic lines and cold hard truths with a dark outlook. It’s a hopeless energy but relatable in this day and age, making this an easy song to scream along with.
“Horses In A Dream” captivates with a liminal space, fever-dream state bursting with a punchy, lyrical rhythm which rolls off Cox’s tongue like syrup, smooth and simple. This psychedelic ambience mixed with an early industrial-pop tone hits different from the grunge-core elements of the other tracks. It’s whimsical, and dark, riveting with a snappy beat and intoxicating rhythm that feels like a daze.
“Why I Sleep,” takes the reigns after the percussion-heavy interlude of “Morning Star.” “Why I Sleep” revives some of those emo/metal tones which radiated earlier releases from the band. Raw and chocked full of sharp edges, the seventh track off Sundiver has a restless bite.
A busy drumbeat introduces the next song, “Fornix.” Gritty and hopeful, “Fornix” looks to the stars with fiery confidence. If there’s something to take from this, it’s that there’s always a better world out there for those who seek it, a rainbow after a stormy past, and a sunrise after a darkening night. The static reverberation of the guitar fades out the end, giving an electrifying effect like what you might hear onstage during a live performance.
“What Is Taken Will Never Be Lost,” serenades with a vivid acoustic melody and a brisk, muted beat. The heavy bass is taken away in this song, allowing the vocals and lyrics their own reverence. This may be the most haunting song; crystal clear all the way into the end.
A desolate picking pattern begins the final track, “DC Mini,” which features Heriot. The chorus screams “I don’t know the first thing about how to live,” a hollow, or freeing statement, where you can either see it as a glass half-empty or half-full. “DC Mini” examines the starkness of everyday life, but there’s a revelation in the lines “it resets and starts again,” that while one may be lost, or on an indirect path, there’s a new chance each day to start over.
Sundiver takes listeners on a reflective journey, shouldering a mature sound from the alternative rock group. It opens with “Datura,” welcoming in a new world, and concludes with the harrowing “DC Mini.” While heavily electric, there’s nothing overwhelming about the instrumentals, nothing to interrupt the flow of the session. From the airy vocals to the dark bass lines and sharp riffs, each element is subtle yet powerful. Sundiver isn’t about a brand new sound for Boston Manor, but instead a celebration of life and the wisdom which comes with age and experience, showing us another side of the band.
Review by I’m Music Magazine Writer Alice Kearney
“Horses In A Dream” captivates with a liminal space, fever-dream state bursting with a
punchy, lyrical rhythm which rolls off Cox’s tongue like syrup, smooth and simple. This
psychedelic ambience mixed with an early industrial-pop tone hits different from the grunge-core
elements of the other tracks. It’s whimsical, and dark, riveting with a snappy beat and
intoxicating rhythm that feels like a daze.
“Why I Sleep,” takes the reigns after the percussion-heavy interlude of “Morning Star.”
“Why I Sleep” revives some of those emo/metal tones which radiated earlier releases from the
band. Raw and chocked full of sharp edges, the seventh track off Sundiver has a restless bite.
A busy drumbeat introduces the next song, “Fornix.” Gritty and hopeful, “Fornix” looks
to the stars with fiery confidence. If there’s something to take from this, it’s that there’s always a
better world out there for those who seek it, a rainbow after a stormy past, and a sunrise after a
darkening night. The static reverberation of the guitar fades out the end, giving an electrifying
effect like what you might hear onstage during a live performance.-
“What Is Taken Will Never Be Lost,” serenades with a vivid acoustic melody and a brisk,
muted beat. The heavy bass is taken away in this song, allowing the vocals and lyrics their own
reverence. This may be the most haunting song; crystal clear all the way into the end.
A desolate picking pattern begins the final track, “DC Mini,” which features Heriot. The
chorus screams “I don’t know the first thing about how to live,” a hollow, or freeing statement,
where you can either see it as a glass half-empty or half-full. “DC Mini” examines the starkness
of everyday life, but there’s a revelation in the lines “it resets and starts again,” that while one
may be lost, or on an indirect path, there’s a new chance each day to start over.
Sundiver takes listeners on a reflective journey, shouldering a mature sound from the
alternative rock group. It opens with “Datura,” welcoming in a new world, and concludes with
the harrowing “DC Mini.” While heavily electric, there’s nothing overwhelming about the
instrumentals, nothing to interrupt the flow of the session. From the airy vocals to the dark bass
lines and sharp riffs, each element is subtle yet powerful. Sundiver isn’t about a brand new sound
for Boston Manor, but instead a celebration of life and the wisdom which
