lostboy share debut EP ‘Bad News’
lostboy provide the antidote for all your lockdown emotions in their passionate debut EP
Photo: Press
If, like me, you enjoy some textbook indie tunes from time to time, look no further than lostboy and their debut EP. The five-track album perfectly encompasses the classic musicality of an indie band and does a fine job of showing off the range that this group has to offer. They provide a diverse collection of tracks and are commendably unafraid to tackle serious subject matters within them.
The EP kicks off with Kid and it’s not hard to see why this track has the most streams of the album. The song feels like a kind of homage to the days of teenage angst, and it’s all too easy to picture a bunch of kids rocking out to it as they drive off into the sunset. Or, you know, the average person on their way home from work (AKA me).
Max Clutterbuck’s raspy voice singing lines like, “There’s so much I don't remember / Those nights we got high together” makes it impossible to not belt out those adolescent feelings along with him. The song structure provides a moment of glory for each band member, and there is no lack of driving rock within this track.
That high-octane energy is continued into the title track Bad News, which was primarily inspired by the seemingly endless stream of negative information that came as a result of the pandemic. The band manage to put a positive twist on the song content with upbeat progressions throughout, starting with a full-bodied guitar riff that drinks smoother than a well-aged Cabernet. For me, Jack Berry is the hero of this track, and his talented guitar licks are what I keep coming back for.
Charlie is the EP’s shortest title by a long shot but is the song that I find myself singing the most. It’s just wave after wave of well-rounded and satisfying sound, all cleverly glued together by Ethan Reeve’s solid drum beats. I don’t really have much to say other than you should just go listen to it. Like, right now.
As we reach the end of the EP, there’s an obvious shift in feeling — as well as purpose — with both Fix and Self(ish). These tracks bring an entirely new message to the table, and they hit hard.
Fix focuses on the impact of spending an extended amount of time with oneself and how sometimes that makes it easier to notice your own flaws. Self(ish) is inspired by the band’s bass player, Henry Robinson, and his personal journey with mental health.
lostboy do a phenomenal job of addressing these sensitive issues in a way that keeps its optimistic lining and is a refreshing reminder of just how healing music can truly be.
‘Bad News’ is out now via Ditto Music.
