Review Summary: Soul soothing indie-folk
For those unacquainted (okay, so
everyone reading this), Bojockey began as the bedroom recording project of London songwriter Samuel Williams, which eventually expanded into a five-piece outfit that now includes Helena Grace (vocals/bass), Dustin Price (guitar/vocals), Alex Shave (keys), and Remi Garrier (drums). The sound of the band might best be described as soul soothing indie-folk, and while early comparisons to indie-rock titans like Bon Iver or The National have already been rendered, I see them as something closer to a darker and more refined version of Of Monsters and Men. Their songwriting approach, while breathtaking, is also geared towards accessibility – these are songs that will feel right at home on most lazy afternoons or quiet drives through the countryside.
Bojockey is the self-titled debut from this band, and it was inspired by the death of Samuel’s grandmother – an event that prompted him to scrap eight months of work and go back to the drawing board. The results are difficult to argue with: these are serene, charming tunes. For what they might lack in daring ingenuity, they more than make up for it with instinctive beauty. Look no further than opener ‘My My’, which glides gracefully through Williams’ secluded opening verses before swelling to a beautiful, soaring vocal harmony with Helena Grace. The band are at their best when they’re highlighting their raw talent, whether it’s how Williams’ and Grace’s vocals unforgettably intertwine on so many occasions here, or the way that the instruments effortlessly lay down such a lush, picturesque canvas. The icy glaze of ‘Pink Skies Over Willesden’, for instance, resides among 2023’s most mesmerizing atmospheres with its elegant classical pianos raining down on the droning synths/organs that otherwise blanket the soundscape. The adjoining ‘Honeysuckle’ is equally stunning, featuring tender acoustic guitars and gorgeous tenor saxophone. No matter what Bojockey does, they seem to execute it with the utmost taste and class.
It's an impressive starting point for a group of musicians with enough talent to make some serious (figurative) noise in the indie-folk realm. It’s scenic and meditative – an easy record to sink into as you feel your worries melting away. With themes of darkness and triumph embedded throughout, it’s a cathartic piece that will land quite well among its intended audience. Bojockey might not be a household name yet, but the potential is there for a new titan to emerge from the genre.
