The Boxer Rebellion
Ocean by Ocean
Reviewed by: Fareeha Naim
At the close of the Oasis and Radiohead era of British music, The Boxer Rebellion, a London-based quartet, emerged with a new twist on the British band scene. Now fifteen years old and four studio albums already under their belt, this indie-rock band has released yet another gem—studio album number five, Ocean by Ocean. It’s real, it’s honest, and it hits home; in 10 tracks, they managed to lay out pictures of their lives that tug at memories, feelings, and times long forgotten.
Ocean by Ocean builds itself upon pensive, wistful experiences while pulling at darker undertones. From the gloomy “Let’s Disappear,” a tale of wanting to hide away from the world, to the distressed “Keep Me Close,” a lament about not knowing the type of person you are seen as, grim feelings are embedded in the enchanting and otherworldly rhythms. The opening track “Weapon” straightaway creates the edge for the rest of the album, dwelling on how love can shift into something destructive. Focusing on relationships and their downfalls, the tracks are vague and inconclusive, all leaving room for more but not entirely giving it all. Lead singer Nathan Nicholson’s notable falsetto haunts amidst the swaying orchestrations, giving the album a pleasing first listen, a saddening second, and depressing third as lyrics are learned. “Big Ideas” reminisces meeting the right person at the wrong time, a concept that hits home for anyone who’s experienced that kind of heartbreak. And it’s entirely acceptable that the closing track, “Let It Go,” repeats the line “I chose to be happy so why do I feel so bad” after the previous nine tracks, which is basically just the final arrow through your heart.
Thoughtful, pure, and nostalgic, Ocean by Ocean is an artistic triumph, orchestrally and lyrically. It never loses its air of mystery, and has a way of providing just enough of the story without giving the whole thing away, leaving the listeners to fill in the blanks.
Rating: Bad-Ass
