{"id":4136,"date":"2016-09-29T11:38:00","date_gmt":"2016-09-29T11:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/album-review-boston-manor-be-nothing\/"},"modified":"2023-01-20T16:16:49","modified_gmt":"2023-01-20T16:16:49","slug":"review-boston-manor-be-nothing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/review-boston-manor-be-nothing\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Boston Manor – Be Nothing."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"BeEver since we first came into contact with Boston Manor<\/b><\/a> and their debut \u2018Here\/Now\u2019<\/i> EP, they have always had the potential to break out of the pop-punk box many have placed them in. Now after a couple of EP releases; \u2018Driftwood<\/a>\u2019<\/i> and ‘Saudade<\/a>\u2019<\/i>, they\u2019ve delivered a debut album that is well worthy of taking them to the next level.<\/p>\n

Picking up where ‘Saudade\u2019<\/i> left off, ‘Be Nothing\u2019<\/i> is carried with a plausible emotional core yet is equally delivered with purpose. Over the course of ten songs, the North West five-piece produce an impassioned collection that demonstrates their musical and lyrical growth. First single ‘Laikia\u2019<\/i> serves as the bridge from ‘Saudade\u2019<\/i> with its punchy drum work, neat guitar harmonies and emotive vocal delivery. Elsewhere, opening track ‘Burn You Up\u2019<\/i> sees vocalist Henry Cox sing \u201cyou better get used to this as I\u2019m going nowhere\u201d<\/i> whilst his bandmates provide a jangly brand of emo\/pop-punk. While ‘Forget-Me-Not\u2019<\/i> rushes through with urgency and bounce as Cox offers a bitter message to a former love.<\/p>\n

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‘Be Nothing\u2019<\/i> truly shines when it rides on Cox\u2019s emotions. ‘Lead Feet\u2019<\/i> is momentarily held back with a distant opening verse before being vibrantly released. ‘Broke Glass\u2019<\/i> swells in Cox\u2019s tender honesty with its hazy guitars and steady tempo putting his vocals front and centre. Ringing guitars hauntingly welcome ‘Cu\u2019<\/i> before dropping in and out of full band onslaughts, yet Cox\u2019s lyrical compassion leaves you fully hooked. Structurally it\u2019s one of the standout moments on offer.<\/p>\n

‘Be Nothing\u2019<\/i> is an addictive and thoroughly engaging record that needs to be listened to from start to finish. The quintet\u2019s collective maturity and openness to take a more structured approach, along with a constantly convincing vocal display, sees Boston Manor<\/b> defying expectations. It\u2019s an album that should open new doors for them, as it\u2019s one of the strongest debut albums of the year.<\/p>\n

4.5\/5<\/p>\n