The British alt-rock group Bôa is remembered for their soft rock song, “Duvet.” However, in their new album “Whiplash,” they are showing the side of themselves many people don’t know. Still staying true with their alt-rock roots but diving into heavier guitar and drums. The group was on a hiatus for 14 years, but after long anticipation, Bôa is back and better than ever.
The first song off the album is called “Let Me Go,” which slightly reminded me of “Duvet.” It is a pretty slow song, providing a nice introduction to the album. The bass, guitar and drums aren’t overpowering, allowing the lead singer, Jasmine Rodgers, to show off her powerful vocals. In this song, Rodgers shows the listener that her ethereal voice hasn’t gone anywhere. Her silky pipes sound just as good as they did a decade ago, showing fans that the band is here to stay.
The next three songs are “Crawling,” “Walk With Me” and “Beautiful & Broken.” These songs are classic Bôa, a little whimsical but still rock. All three start off slow, but as the songs progress, the drums, guitar and bass become slightly heavier, leading to a dramatic and beautiful ending to the songs.
Next, there is a 20 second instrumental guitar excerpt titled ‘Prelude.’ In my mind, this serves as a gateway from ‘older’ Bôa to a new version of the band. The rest of the album following this excerpt is more rock heavy, while also including some new pop elements.
The next song on the album is one of my favorites. It’s called “Frozen” and it feels different yet similar to other music Bôa has released. The vocal style is the same, but the heavier instrumentals make the song have more depth and drive to it. “Frozen” is more rock focused, but it has a groove that makes it fun to dance to. I found myself nodding my head and throwing my head around, listening to this wonderful track. The beat is also kept with egg shakers, also adding to the tempo and depth to the song. “Frozen” also has some vocal layering to it, by Rodgers and others. I always love vocal layering as it adds the final touch to any song, making it feel rich, and this song is no exception.
Later in the album is a song called “Worry.” The song starts with Rodgers singing a line with no background music. Rodgers’ voice has always been unique, and listening to her with no instrumentals was slightly eerie, but in a great way. Loud and commanding guitar, bass and drums is then sprung on the listener, making for a dramatic start to the song.
Next, the song “Whiplash” appears. It is very apparent why the band chose this song as the title of their album. Not only are the lyrics catchy and the vocals rich, but the instrumentals are classic and timeless. They seem to be simpler melodies, but the way they are combined in addition with Rodger’s voice is magical and so unique. This is the reason I love Bôa. The music itself is simple, but their ‘sound’ is so special. Somehow it feels nostalgic, filling me with a warm feeling. This song shows the listener that although Bôa is experimenting with new techniques, they still stay strong to their roots.
The final four songs of the album are the most rock heavy of the album. The instruments on these tracks are very heavy, and although can sometimes be a good thing, they seem to overpower Rodger’s voice. One of the things that makes Bôa so special is the uniqueness of Rodger’s voice, and I didn’t see that shine through in these last few songs. However, the rhythm of these songs were very danceable and I would recommend them even if they weren’t a favorite of mine.
Overall, “Whiplash” is incredible. Many bands can’t take a fourteen-year break, come back, and produce the same high level of music they did years prior. That alone shows how incredible of musicians all of the members of the band are. This album makes me excited for the future of Bôa. Some of their songs gained fame on the app TikTok in recent years, giving the band more of a platform. I hope with the release of this album, Bôa will be able to continue their musical journey and gain an even larger fan base.
“Whiplash:” Bôa ★★★★☆
