“And you don’t seem to understand,” the long-awaited comeback of Bôa has finally arrived. Most popular for their song, “Duvet,” which took TikTok by storm in 2021, British alternative rock band, Bôa, released their new album, “Whiplash” on Oct. 18, 2024. Being their first major release in almost 20 years, the band decided to reconnect after “Duvet” recently streamed well into the millions. The album draws from multiple genres but follows the band’s traditional hypnotic folk-inspired sound.
The album includes 13 songs, spanning a total of 47 minutes of whimsical cohesiveness. With no track exceeding five minutes, the majority lie somewhere between the three and five-minute mark.
Opening the album and establishing the tone for the rest of the songs is “Let Me Go.” The ’90s indie rock feeling is incited through lead singer and guitarist Jasmine Rodgers’ alluring riffs and signature vocal flips. The song seems to pull inspiration from the band’s 2005 album, “Twilight.” Overall, it is a strong opener for what is to come.
Tracks two through four are slightly less exciting, however. They sound like something we have heard before, but this does not directly translate into being poorly produced. The songs flow nicely into each other with “Crawling” being an angry confession offset by its playful sound, “Walk With Me” including heavier instrumentals and an objectively darker tone (probably the best out of these three) and “Beautiful & Broken” being a less memorable track with ascending instrumentals and self-given advice.
In a brief, yet needed transition, a 20-second “Prelude” is featured as track number five. “Prelude” contains no vocals and is simply a short tune on the acoustic guitar.
Directly proceeding is “Frozen.” Listed as track six, “Frozen” is arguably the best song on the entire album. Rodgers’ vocals are showcased beautifully in this song as she is accompanied by an ethereal instrumental. Lyrically, the track explains a situation familiar to many — being trapped in a detrimental situation by indecisiveness and unwillingness to accept the truth. Hot and cold tactile imagery is implemented throughout the song to demonstrate the vast differences between the two people described, with Rodgers’ hypothetical lover’s “frozen heart” setting hers on fire and burning her out.
With much to live up to, track seven, “Vienna” is again underwhelming. Following the best song on the album and sharing a name with a Billy Joel song, Bôa’s “Vienna” is sweet and pretty, though forgettable. It is an innocent song that lightens up the intensity of the rest of the album.
Beginning with a jazz-inspired acapella segment, “Worry” introduces a more unsettling feel that will continue through the end of the album. This eclectic sound is nothing new to Bôa, and although it is not for everyone, fans of the band may be pleased to experience this sense of nostalgia from the band’s older work. The song is vocally impressive and captivating.
“Whiplash,” the album’s title track is next, encompassing a more modern indie sound that still plays into the darker instrumentals. The song draws its name from the raw guitar riffs that had initially sparked interest in the band decades ago, albeit contradictory to the newer sound they attempt to introduce with this track.
Track 10, “Strange Few” invites a creepy energy, being sort of strange at first. However, verse three and the final chorus save the song, with a mystical and alluring sound. Remaining on the theme, “Seafarer” produces more eclectic instrumentals, though it is underwhelming.
Tracks 12 and 13 close out the album on a stronger note. “I Don’t Know” creates a beautiful transition to the final track with its catchy chorus. Ending the album is “Shadow,” which being track 13, suites the album’s mysterious energy perfectly. “Shadow” leaves an impression on the listener that makes them remember the album at a point in the work when a few of the songs start to blend together. The song is equal parts drama and reality. The slow, intense chorus feels very cinema-esque.
“Shadow” reminds listeners that although Bôa has been around for decades, the band still has something special to offer to the music industry. Bôa has done something with “Whiplash” that many bands strive for in a comeback: presenting a fresh take on their traditional, loved sound.
Rating: 4/5