By Anjali Nayak
While Black Country, New Road’s first album was a promising start to the young band, Ants From Up There has perfectly solidified the group as one of the best in the underground. Taking a more grandiose approach, BCNR’s second album is an orchestral break up album. All seven members of the London band amplify the dynamics of lead singer Isaac Wood’s every conclusion, from giddy infatuation to paralyzing despair, as he desperately sacrifices his serenity for a tragic and heroic cause. However, on January 31, the band announced that Wood “won’t be a member of the group anymore,” and that the remaining members would carry on without him. The question then asks, “Break up with whom?”
Ants From Up There’s very first moments re-introduces a band that could not be more excited about where things were headed. After a beautifully clunky, 54 second intro, the group barges right into what the band has called the “best song we’ve ever written.” They’re not wrong. Using every instrument imaginable, the band creates tension and release. Rattling piano keys make the listener have to anticipate a climax, and one is quickly found. Wood shouts, “I’m leaving this body, and I’m never coming back again,” as a wailing saxophone flies overhead. The band continues to introduce some motifs that will continue to evolve throughout the listening experience, one of the more humorous being “Billie Eillish style.”
The following track is breathtaking. Concord displays Issac Wood’s utter infatuation with a significant other. Perhaps one of the most beautiful images Wood paints on the album – the idea of being so fond of someone, that you would sprint up a mountain just to get a brief glimpse of them – like a Concorde ripping past at 2000 km/h glinting momentarily in the sun. “And you, like Concorde/ I came, a gentle hill racer/ I was breathless upon every mountain/ Just to look for your light.” The track takes the listener through the breakup, one line at a time, all weaved together expertly through tasteful dynamics and instrumentation. The last verse introspects on needs, as Issac feels that he is being used to satisfy his partner’s inner desires, and nothing else.
One of the more hook focused songs, Good Will Hunting, focuses on a sense of codependency. Wood fantasizes of a life with his partner, one that is so close yet so far. “It’s just been a weekend/ But in my mind/ We summer in France/ With our genius daughters now/ And you teach me how to play the piano.” Wood is foolish. He understands that his former significant other practically refuses to message him, nonetheless he reminds that he will come racing at the call. The instrumentals move from groovy to chaos at various moments in the track, more specifically the post chorus. But, no moments of anarchy are clunky, every instrument recorded masterly, continually providing space in the mix. If you are going to listen to one song on this album, make it be this one.
This album is an outright masterpiece. Easily the best album released so far, Black Country, New Road display impressive amounts of musicianship, every note of this album serves meaning. If you are a fan of The Smiths, The Clash, or Mac Demarco, this is definitely an album to check out.