Album Review: Black Country, New Road - 'Live At Bush Hall'
Since the departure of vocalist Isaac Wood, Cambridge act Black Country, New Road have taken an unconventional next step into their blossoming career. After the massive success of their 2022 album ‘Ants From Up There’, the six piece have released their impressive new material in the form of a live album titled ‘Live at Bush Hall’.
Recorded over a three day affair at London’s Bush Hall, ‘Live at Bush Hall’ accompanies BC,NR’s concert film of the same name. The album, consisting of nine new songs, explores the departure of Wood and the hurt behind said departure; but in this album lies hope. Hope for memories made, and hope for calmer waters.
Since the departure of their lead vocalist, BC,NR have proven their unity and flexibility in sharing the role of vocalist between members May Kershaw and Tyler Hyde, with Lewis Evans and Georgia Ellery contributing vocally occasionally. They have scrapped the idea of a lead singer altogether, proving that this act is just as tight knit as ever before.
This unity shines immediately upon the first track ‘Up Song’. An extremely upbeat track in both sound and lyrics, filled with genuine pride and hope for the band each member so obviously adores. Introduced with a lone saxophone, the song swiftly breaks out into a toe tapping euphoria as each instrument pushes to the forefront. While these bursting symphonic parts of the track are a highlight, mainly the chorus, it must be said that the contrast between that and the quieter parts of ‘Up Song’ are something to be congratulated; captivating an audience so well that there is merely just silence as Kershaw sings along to a lone mandolin.
The celebration of themselves and their achievements are present in lyrics like “Look at what we did together / BC,NR, friends forever”, but it should be noted that this celebratory feeling is also present throughout the track. As Kershaw happily sings these lyrics, the sounds surrounding her just put a smile on your face, and her voice travels perfectly through the music in a live setting; proving BC,NR’s impressive talents in performing.
Around midway through the performance, we switch to Hyde’s vocals. Hyde’s vocals are more akin to that of midwest emo; slightly imperfect and off-kilter, but still incredibly pleasing to the ears. ‘Across The Pond Friend’ is one of the more traditional BC,NR tracks with its indie roots, speaking of a homesickness for somebody rather than somewhere while away from home. This track acts as a love song to anybody, friend or lover, and the desire to return home to them as soon as possible, with Hyde speaking of dreams about a person he possibly overlooked in the past, coming to realise his love for them when it was possibly too late (“In my dream you came running to me and then fall back into my arms / Wake up and see”). ‘Across The Pond Friend’ acts as an effective breather between Kershaw’s tracks, which are incredibly captivating and intricate lyrically, as well as acting as proof that simplicity in tracks such as this personal highlight are just as moving.
Coming to the end of the performance, we come across one of the more melancholic tracks that are also sung by Hyde. Presumably about Wood after his departure from the band, and the hurt that may have come about in this decision for the remaining members of BC,NR, the track borrows its title from the Wallace and Gromit film ‘The Wrong Trousers’; a film with a similar synopsis to this track as it surrounds the feeling of abandonment from friends. Much like the rest of this album, however, this track has an air of hope and forgiveness to it with the lyrics “And though you hurt me / Feel like you’ve lost me / I turn around, I’ll look back kindly”, as well as celebrating the achievements between these friends in the next lyrics “We made something to be proud of”, referring to the band themselves.
While the topics in this album and performance are evidently emotional, which can be felt through the performances of each member, it must be said that the overall feeling left behind is that of hope. Hope for a happier future as creative counterparts, and hope that Black Country, New Road remains what they were forever meant to be: friends forever.
Words by Rae Garvey
